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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 Mcejco,
It was apparent when listening to the two identical samplers.I did not load the player,so i wasn't aware of which SHM sampler was being used, but I knew which one I was hearing. The curious thing from a marketing point of view is why did they include a second sacd to compare the shm sacd with that sounds better!

Regards,
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Is it possible that your player just does a better job with standard formats than it does with the SHM SACD format?
montejay OP
285 posts
 
Mceljo,
I duplicated the same result on my system as my friend so I don't think that would be the answer.The non shm tester they provide sounded better than the shm.Two systems with different front ends produced simular results.
In regards to the 'burn in' of the shm sacds, I wouldn't judge there sq until they have been played numerous times.
That being said,I don't feel the price is justified based on the few I now own.

Regards,
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