Audio buffs around these parts may know that there are two new CD formats being tried out in Japan: SHM-CD (pressed on a different type of plastic apparently assembled from crushed-up plasma TV screens) and Blu-Spec CD (cut with the same type of laser used to make Blu-Ray DVDs). The discs are not cheap, at about £25 apiece before postage, but some of them are beautiful packages with replica minisleeves, thick booklets and all the usual Japanese refinements. Having a top-end audio system and liking new gizmos, I bought a batch from HMV in Japan and tried them out, testing them carefully against my existing CD versions. For anyone thinking of investing in these expensive new discs, here is my report. Where necessary (as several SHM-CDs are mastered much louder than their CD counterparts - an old audiophile trick), I adjusted volumes for a meaningful comparison. All are SHM-CDs, by the way, apart from the Janis Joplin, which is Blu-Spec.

MELLOW CANDLE: SWADDLING SONGS
Music: Obscure prog/folk, from 1972
Compared against: 2004 UK remaster
Verdict: SHM-CD is subtly but significantly better in all regards

CURVED AIR: LIVE
Music: Heavy prog rock, from 1974
Compared against: Original nineties German CD
Verdict: Same as the Mellow Candle – differences aren’t huge, but they’re there

VELVET UNDERGROUND/NICO: Various
Music: We all know these, I think. Compared the first three VU albums and Nico’s “Chelsea Girl” and “The End”.
Compared against: “Peel Slowly And See” remastered boxed set for the VU; original eighties CDs for Nico
Verdict: They sound exactly the same. Not a dickybird of difference. Save your cash.

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: BLESS ITS POINTED LITTLE HEAD
Music: Psychedelia
Note: Not a very well recorded album to start with. I’m baffled why this was issued in SHM-CD.
Compared against: UK remastered CD
Verdict: SHM-CD may be very slightly better, but who cares? It’s not an audiophile recording to begin with.

STARSHIP: KNEE-DEEP IN THE HOOPLA
Music: Horrible eighties rock (only own this because they used to be Jefferson Airplane)
Compared against: UK remastered CD
Verdict: SHM-CD sounds brilliant. Thought it was a vast improvement until I played the UK CD. SHM-CD actually no better, but does sound slightly different, so I wonder whether they remixed it. Strangely, SHM-CD has poorer booklet and omits the bonus track!

COMUS: FIRST UTTERANCE
Music: Truly weird (and fantastic!) prog/folk from 1971
Compared against: 2005 Japanese remastered CD
Verdict: Both have superb sound quality, but the SHM-CD is way better, for reasons I can’t quite fathom. It just brings the music alive and gives me goosebumps!

TUDOR LODGE: TUDOR LODGE
Music: Obscure folk/rock from 1970
Compared against: 1990s Korean CD
Verdict: SHM-CD is clearer and cleaner. However, some vocals sound very slightly distorted (possibly just showing up flaws in the master tape).

HEART: DREAMBOAT ANNIE LIVE
Music: Rock (2005 recording)
Note: Why issue this in SHM-CD and not the studio original? The 1976 original is musically brilliant and superbly recorded, but this is neither
Compared against: UK CD
Verdict: Was this taken from the same set of tapes? The UK CD is louder, brighter and clearer, yet there’s something subtly wrong with the mix that makes it a hard listen. SHM-CD is more mellow and musical in every way. Did they remix it?

JANIS JOPLIN: PEARL
Music: 1971 rock/psych
Compared against: Late nineties remaster in boxed set
Verdict: Blu-spec CD is subtly but significantly better

So there you have it. The Japanese marketing claim that “you won’t believe it’s the same CD” is bollocks (except for Heart, where I actually don’t believe it’s the same set of tapes), but most titles are actually better sounding.

So, has anyone else out there bought discs in either of these formats? Did you think this was just the Emperor's new clothes, or did you hear a real difference?