Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I saw a copy of Wings' "Venus & Mars" for about $30, it was a Japanese
    copy.  However, I doubt there is much difference between this disc
    and the regular copy I own, which was also made in Japan, but doesn't
    have the Japanese writing all over it.  Japanese import records
    are superior to US pressings, but I don't think the discs should
    be different.  I'd be interested in hearing experience to the contrary.
    
    -Steve

    Yes, Japanese discs are very expensive in the U.S. now, partly because
    of importation costs, and partly because the Yen is quite strong
    against the U.S. dollar.
    
    I own a number of Japanese imports with many different kinds of
    music.  I would not say the quality is particularly better or worse
    than U.S. or European releases, but the Japanese do seem to be much
    faster at getting a lot of titles to market.  Most of the Japanese
    titles I have are still not available in the U.S. (eg, "Abbey Road",
    "All That Jazz" soundtrack, Harry Belafonte collection, etc.).
    
    I know a lot of people have praised the quality of Japanese pressings
    of vinyl records, but I don't know if that difference in pressing
    quality holds for CDs as well.  If the album you want is available
    on a cheaper release, you're probably better off buying that.

    Considering that a good portion of CDs released in the US are
    actually manufactured in Japan or West Germany, I can't see that
    import CDs would be any "better" in quality.  You're paying the
    premium for the supposed expense in obtaining the disc, plus the
    mystique of an "import".
    					Steve

    Re/ .3:
    
    The difference is that CDs manufactured for U.S. firms are priced
    in U.S. dollars, and the price includes their costs, including
    manufacturing, shipping, etc.  Japanese CDs, those released by Japanese
    companies, are priced in Yen, which are currently quite high against
    the U.S. dollar.  There may also be a difference in costs, tariffs,
    duties, etc. between shipping the manufactured parts (ie, the discs)
    for domestic release vs. importing finished Japanese goods for sale.

    I paid $22 for a CD last week, but it was a twofer; Frank Zappa
    Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation.  I think its about 65 minutes of
    music, and of course the quality is much better than on my 10-year
    old vinyl version.  BTW, it is a Rykodisk, and they give a Salem,
    MA address on the sleeve. -Brian

    In some cases, the Japanese import *is* better quality than the
    domestic version. I've seen a few comparisons done of the EMI
    (Japanese) version of Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON done
    against the Capitol (US) and Harvest (British) versions. The
    Japanese one has always been rated as the best. This may be
    accounted for if the Japanese label is re-mastering with more
    care.
    
    I got the Japanese DARK SIDE a couple of years ago for something
    like $19.99. These days, I've seen it for $29.99, with the other
    versions in the $15-18 range.
    
    I won't buy an import CD for $25 on up unless it's something I
    *really* want. In fact, for months, BCD has had a Japanese
    version of Linda Ronstadt's HEART LIKE A WHEEL that I was
    faunching after, but I refused to pay the $27 price tag. On
    my recent vacation in Minneapolis, I found it in a store for
    $15.99! The clerk made some comment about "If you bought this
    two weeks ago, it'd cost you twice as much." I didn't know why
    he said that until I got home and found the disc now being
    released domestically for $15.99. Why that store dropped the
    price on the Japanese disc (it's definitely the Japanese version,
    considering the Kana written all over it) to match the domestic
    price is beyond me, but I'm not complaining.
    
    --- jerry