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SHM SACD's need to be burned in

I recently purchased Aja on a SHM sacd. I have never purchased any single disc at this price,but the chance of aquiring one of my favorite albums on SACD made me go for it.
I was so excited the day it arrived. I warmed up my system for a half an hour and popped it in. WHAT A DISAPOINTMENT!
The bass was bloated and the highs rolled off. It was inferior to my two redbook copies sonically(MFSL ultradisc and 1999 remaster).
I went on various forums to see if others had the same opinion as mine. To my surprise what I gathered was that playing these SHM SACD's about ten times to burn in improves the sound. I didn't beieve it but I had the disc already so .....
I played it on repeat on my cdp for two days straight. I then warmed up my system the same way and expected little change.
Much to my surprise the base tighten up,the highs improved and the soundstage organised itself. If I hadn't heard this for myself I never would have believed it.The mofi wasn't in the ballpark anymore!
Anyone else with a simular experience?

Regards,
montejay
montejay OP
285 posts
 
Hi Tbg,
Are your SHMs sacds?I'm not surprised at all by your statement. Who would look for a cd to improve after repeated listens. I would not look for it and also wouldn't have searched out other reviews of this sacd if I hadn't been disapointed in this Aja the first couple of times I heard it. As stated earlier,I will be taking it over to the one other person who heard it when new and see if he can tell if there is a difference.He is very experienced and himself doubts there could have been any change.I will post his reaction.
I am surprised and amused by some of the posts here.There is a bit more open mindness over at the Audio Asylum. I thought the 'gon was a kinder gentler place to interact.

Regards,
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
It should be expected that "crazy" ideas would be more acceptable in an Asylum.
montejay OP
285 posts
 
Mceljo,
Sounds to me like your speaking from personal experience:)

Regards,
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
Ah! The power of suggestion. Amazing isn't it? We shouldn't be hard on Montejay. And we shouldn't be too surprised either. If we think back, I'm sure each of us could relate to this based on some audio-mystic phenomenon in our own past. But thanks for the laugh Monte, this one's a lulu.
rja's avatar
rja
2,374 posts
 
Tbj,
You have 50 SHM-SACDs?
There's only been about 70 released so far in Japan at 4286Yen each or US$51.14 each using todays exchange rate plus shipping of course. CDUniverse lists these at $80.29 each.
Are you sure you're not thinking SHM-CD?
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