US Pressing OR Japan Pressing

Hi there,

Which pressing of CD is better - US or JAPAN? Especially when you buy audiophile CD. Do you really hear the different when you play on normal hifi set.

For SACD at least, IMHO the pressings from Japan are preferable, albeit at a premium. For example, SMJ pressings of jazz reissues sound more full bodied and generally sound 'better' than similar pressing from US (I have particular penchant for Miles Davis's and circa 60's jazz SACDs reissues from SMEJ). Others, like SHM CD do sound better and (and waiting for some SHM SACD releases soon) are in demand. Pre-releases, especially from the 80's reissues (Dire Straits, Sting, Police) were often sold-off early while in they're are still in pre-release state !!..

My two sens + deferred again GST...

IMHO It depends on the mastering - While the audiophile formats are nice.

Chesky records presentation need not all those funny jargons but skilled and thorough recording engineering process that makes it one of the better ones.

I have a bunch of very recent Japanese remasters, The Eagles and Paul Simon albums in mini LP re-issues. I find them much louder volume (higher compression?) but in many departments sonically better than most US or EU pressed of the same title. I think its a norm for Japanese industry to remaster from the original tapes with their own equipment and as they see fit to their own engineering satisfaction. This is relative to past artist albums that are still in demand. If I were to choose between Teresa Teng's Japanese pressed or HK pressed albums, I'd favor Japanese press anytime as a better bet. (although TT have many other albums that are only available from Japan..expensive!)