Update on new Shm-CD VU Releases & Box set

[velvetfan]

Well, I originally ordered the VU Nico shm cd when it came out and then the GOLD best of shm cd. I got notice of a Deluxe VU Nico shm, wlwh, 3rd lp, vu another view, and live 69. I assumed that the new shm cd's were in jewel cases like the first 2, but today the first 4 I ordered arrived and they are shm mini-lp cd discs! And they are part of the newest Promo Box set! Crap, now per the set I was saving to buy, I already own half of the 8 cd's in the set! Here is a bit of info on what I have and more detail than the eBay listings show.
The promo box is a 2 part sliding box with the 3rd lp artwork. (Previous box sets have VU Nico artwork box, wlwh box, and the 1st set has the artwork from my icon)
Ok the VU Nico is a mini-lp sleeve, gatefold, peelable banana and sticker over Emerson on back and small booklet, a 2nd sleeve,non-gatefold, printed banana, no Emerson no booklet. Each sleeve has an shm cd with plainish white label, similar to the original Deluxe cd set, not a duplicate of original lp like the first mni-lp sets. It also has a thick booklet that almost looks like another sleeve with banana cover and Emerson rear cover. Two sleeves and booklet slide neatly into obi. Writing is very small so I can't read if 2nd cd is mono but that is the info they gave me.
The wlwh, has the original artwork and an extra sleeve with the uk soldiers artwork, but only 1 shm cd.
Third lp is original art, and Live 69 is gatefold mini lp sleeve and 2 discs w/ blue Mercury labels. All have small booklet inserts within the sleeves. I wonder if someone selling the box set would remove those 4 cd's from the set and sell me the promo box at a discount? I think I will ask. Later.....Rick

[MJG196]

Hey VF,

Is this simply a repackaging of previously-released discs or is it a slew of remasters? Is there ANYTHING new about these discs?

[Elvis Plebsley]

Hi Rick,

where do you buy these things from? EBay? They're not cheap, but I'm interested in buying some of them for purely aesthetics reasons. I hate jewel cases and the mini lp packaging has just the right fetishistic quality that I associate with lps and singles. Certainly a gatefold 1969 double lp-style thing would be preferable to two jewel-cases. Do you know which mix of the 3rd album they are peddling?

Have you been able to come to an arrangement with a seller? If not, maybe I can help you out, if the credit crunch doesn't clear me out.

Rob

[olandem]

Do you know which mix of the 3rd album they are peddling?

Regarding the third album SHM-CD, it's the Val Valentin's mix.

"Another View" is the only SHM-CD that I have checked out closely - and as far as the frequency analysis can tell, there is (unfortunalely) no remaster job for that one. It appears to be the same "80s" master as the regular CD edition. As for my own ears, I have to say that I can't hear any sound improvement here - maybe audiophiles could tell.

Nevertheless the mini-LP covers are pretty nice.

[Jez]

Thanks for the info Rick.

I would also love some feedback on how these SHM discs actually sound. I've been looking at them as well - both thoses in jewel cases and the mini-LP's. A lot of these sets seem to be getting split up and sold separately. You even see the empty boxes up for auction!

The reason I've been looking is because, like Rob, I just love the whole concept and look of these mini-LP-CD's. I can't get nostalgic or excited about a jewel case, but a cardboard sleeve - that's different story.

[Just seen Oladem's post and it confirms what I thought. Thanks. Anybody else listened to them? Is the sound quality of the SHM-CD's the same as that of the mini-LP's?]

[PhantomRaspberryBlower]

This whole SHM-CD business is essentially a con, akin to using a green marker on the outer edge of your CD in the good old days. They say the new plastic the discs are made from allows the player to play back the music more accurately. They said the green marker stopped the laser beam spilling over the edge of the disc, allowing better replay. The truth is the music will not sound any better or worse than a standard CD with the same mastering. Anybody who believes they can hear a difference probably also believes in fairies at the bottom of their garden.

[velvetfan]

This whole SHM-CD business is essentially a con, akin to using a green marker on the outer edge of your CD in the good old days. They say the new plastic the discs are made from allows the player to play back the music more accurately. They said the green marker stopped the laser beam spilling over the edge of the disc, allowing better replay. The truth is the music will not sound any better or worse than a standard CD with the same mastering. Anybody who believes they can hear a difference probably also believes in fairies at the bottom of their garden.

I have to agree, the shm cd quality is no difference to my ears. I do think that the Japanese original mini cd's seem to sound superior to the original cd releases. Just my opinion. The only reason I bought into this is my ocd compulsion to try to get every new release. I contacted a seller and he says he MAY have a separate box later so I will keep watching. I buy my Japanese releases from CDJapan.com. Very good service and prices. The 2shm-cd VU Nico was about $35 USD and same I saw on eBay for $55 USD.

[mwoodard9]

I have the Live 69. I swear that the sound is not as good as the previous mini lp release, but I guess I'll have to A/B it sometime.
Also have to recommend cdjapan as well, very quick service to US considering and price is not that horrible.

[Elvis Plebsley]

I have the Live 69. I swear that the sound is not as good as the previous mini lp release, but I guess I'll have to A/B it sometime.
Also have to recommend cdjapan as well, very quick service to US considering and price is not that horrible.

Hmmm... I've been comparing the SHM with the old one in the jewel cases and I can hear some differences. The SHM is thinner, it seems to have lost some of the bass tones. The guitar sound has more attack, a little less murky maybe. Generally things on the SHM seem to have shifted towards a sound with more treble, but there appears to be less tape hiss and less tape/mic distortion. I'd say that someone has been playing with EQ/NR software.

Have you had a chance to compare yet, and would you agree?