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Elvis Blu-Spec CDs

April 29, 2009 | Music

Sony is releasing the best of compilations "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" and "Second 2 None" on Bl- Spec CDs on July 22, 2009.

According to Wikipedia Bu-spec CD describes an Audio CD manufactured by a proprietary process introduced by Sony Music Entertainment (SME) in late 2008.
The name derives from the similar manufacturing process to that used to create Blu-Ray Discs. Instead of a traditional infra-red laser, a blue laser is used for recording the pits on the CD master that is needed for disc replication. The blue laser creates more precise pits, causing less distortion in the optical read-out process. A Blu-spec CD can be played on all CD players and does not require a blue laser to be read.

Source:Elvis World Japan
FJE wrote on April 29, 2009
OMG! Does that mean I have to start collecting all of Elvis' music all over again?!!
Mark S. wrote on April 29, 2009
Yeah, it'll have much better sound. That only your dog will be able to hear. Nothing beats the sound of vinyl, people. Don't get scammed into this...
elviskid80 wrote on April 30, 2009
Wow Can't Wait Music Has Come Along Way Since Records And Tapes. I Rather Happen To Like Mp3 Files My Self. Clear Perfect Sound No Hisses Or Scraches Or Popping. Like With Records And Tapes . Looking Foward To Theese .
JerryNodak wrote on April 30, 2009
Oh boy! Another brand new, shiney audio gimmick. I'm not buying.
SuziB wrote on April 30, 2009
I applaud Sony for making at least some of Elvis' catalogue in new formats - it at least demonstrates faith. As for sound quality, most cd players wont be able to exploit the merits of blue laser cds as they offer incredibly poor error correction systems, however, high end kit (including my own all digital Meridian kit) will be able to - so I will certainly give these a try. It staggers me when people criticise new formats, its not a question of extracting more from the cd but maximising potential of players to reproduce whats on the disc through mitigating distortion. Of course if you have a low-rent hifi, don't bother. And not the old vinyl versus cd debate again! Its a question of choice but neither offers the bandwith modern day audio is capable of supporting. As for MP3s, unless lossless these are absilute dire and even lossless is only cd standard currently. Compressed MP3s simply exist for convenience not sound quality, and no 'portable' MP3 player is able to make even the most of lossless on the basis the DAC is invariably poor, especially Ipods, which simply offer dire sound unless connected to something like the Wadia DAC.
theoldscudder wrote on April 30, 2009
I think the law of diminishing returns applies here.
dgirl wrote on April 30, 2009
oh boy - more improved technology on 50 year old songs. Yeah sure, major difference!
I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on April 30, 2009
I think most serious collectors are still trying to keep up with the very expensive Japanese SHM-CDs, which themselves only started coming out in the middle of last year! Are these now going to be phased out in favour of this newer Blu–Spec format I wonder? Buy one of these from Amazon.Japan & the postage is nearly as much as the CD!
circleG wrote on May 01, 2009
I'm still saving up for my Cd walkman - been saving for 15 years now
Greg Nolan wrote on May 01, 2009
Great answer, SuziB. Mp3's, while convenient, are a real step backward, to say nothing of killing the once great record industry. There's very little enthusiasm in comparison about music compared to the days of the good old record store. If there's fatigue over new formats (and I've had it myself) I totally get it. I can be an audiophile but sometimes I need to say "I've heard enough." Tthat said, it's great someone cares enough to keep tweaking the way we hear the best singer of the 20th century. I may not be able to afford it, but it's a good thing they're doing this.
clp1093 wrote on May 04, 2009
Totally agree with SuzieB. Whether 'Blu-Spec' sounds any better than SHM we will have to wait and see. The biggest problem with all these formats is the inherant limitations of the original CD specification. Whatever you feed a CD through it finally ends up at 16Bit 44 sampling rate. The real way forward would be for SONY to make available the 'Studio Masters' which could be made available at 24Bit - 88, 24Bit - 96, or 24Bit - 192. Now for an album, say Elvis is Back!, that would be worth paying money for. Some of the small independant record companies are making products like this available and the reproduction is just amazing