does import cds sound better

Thanks very much for the explanation, Rja. I just assumed they would do some EQ or cleaning up the tracks. I guess the reason for the debate over this format is due to the fact that many doubt a new material will make a difference. I will listen for myself.
(and Aja is an excellent reference recording).

Not countries, but labels. There are a handful of labels producing consistently high quality recordings and music. Both are important, for example, I like Naim recordings, but much of the music is, well a bit tedious:

ECM
FIM
MA recordings
Reference Recordings
Stockfisch
Are my current favourites for CD/XRCD. Of these Stocfisch would be number 1

Super High Material should probably be Super High Transparency Material inasmuch as the clear layer is a special polycarbonate formulation with higher (optical) transparency than the standard stuff.