Led Zeppelen and Dire Straits Japanese SHM CD's

I have a couple of SACD SHM discs, they sound absolutely outstanding. I believe most, if not all, SHM CD's will eventually be available in SACD SHM, which probably sound better than the CD SHM discs.So, I am hesitant to buy the SHM CD's at this time.

I have to beg everyone's forgiveness for my first answer.

After reading the positive posts, I went back today and put on David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane". It is a lot better than the 30th anniversary remaster. When I received the lot, I quickly listened to "The Man Who Sold The World" and didn't notice a lot of difference. I'd never really sat down with the rest of them. I should have!

This does make me feel great, because I found copies of the out-of-print Dire Straits' "Love Over Gold" and "On Every Street" SHM-CDs a few weeks ago in New Zealand and ordered them. I'm just waiting for them to make the international postal treck to the US and should be receiving them soon.

I think that CD Japan has better prices on the SHM-CDs than Amazon. I can't really remember where I read it, but JVC is making their equivalent to the SHM-CD called HQCD. The Blu-Spec CDs are also worth the extra cost too.

Chuck

Just my 2 cents on this subject.
I own a number of SHM-CDs including "Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms" which I think is outstanding.
However, in my experience the sound quality varies depending on the mastering used.
If the mastering is excellent the SHM-CD will sound just a bit better, icing on the cake if you will.
If the mastering is so-so the SHM-CD will not improve it enough to make a difference.
My caveat when purchasing these is; find out which mastering is being used, if you like it then purchase the SHM-CD, if not pass.
PS: I also own a number of HQCDs and Blu-spec CDs, same caveat applies. My favorites are the Blu-spec.
PSS: As far as I know; HQCD and SHM-CD are materials based while Blu-spec is a mastering technique.

I have the 'Dire Straits' SHM-CD and it is worth every penny. I also have the 2000 SBM remaster and the SHM-CD blows its doors away. It seems as though some extra time was spent specifically on "Sultans of Swing" as it is the best I've ever heard. Though not my favorite cut, it was without question the "Who's That?!" song of 1979, if not the decade for me. Well done - keep 'em coming.

I have read that the SHM cd of Dire Straits is superior to the SHM SACD due to the mastering used.

Regards,