Japanese CDs mastered differently?

[Shurado]

While I was looking to buy some CDs, I had come across a post somewhere claiming that Japanese versions are mastered in a way that makes them better than other regions.

Simply put, is this true?

[postjack]

not really. some have different masters than other regions (whether that's better or not depends on the CD). there are some good Japanese mastering houses. some early CDs made in Japan are really good because labels were trying to show off the CD format, but that is true of other country's CDs, too. there is nothing magical about a CD being Japanese.

my black triangle "invisible touch" is magical.

[postjack]

but not because it's Japanese. my black triangle discs are great too, but no better than MFSL or DCC or Mastersound or XRCD releases.

agreed, I just wanted to say my "invisible touch" was magical.

[tiberian]

While I was looking to buy some CDs, I had come across a post somewhere claiming that Japanese versions are mastered in a way that makes them better than other regions.

Simply put, is this true?

in my experience japanese produced albums tend not to be compressed to death...but i would say the japanese version of an american produced album will sound the same as the US version.

[Dusty Chalk]

I don't know, my Japanese master of Garbage sounds better than my domestic issue.

[Dusty Chalk]

Exactly.

[deepak]

i have some recent japanese remasters that are as compressed and no-noised as anything coming out of the US.

Yup same here. Have a bunch of 24 bit Japanese reissued jazz discs that are NR'ed (not subtle either).

[postjack]

Generally my favorite discs are from W. Germany circa 1980s.

[aerius]

Granted, my sample size is pretty limited and quite possibly biased, but I've found that Japanese remasters do tend to sound better. The main difference I've noted is that the Japanese versions have better dynamic range and they don't get EQ'd to death.

Speaking with people who have far more music & experience than I do, the general consensus is that when looking at the "audiophile approved" remasters alone (ie, Mo-Fi, DCC) there's no real difference between Japanese, Euro, and US versions. But the problem is there's lots of shitty remasters being done in the US by various record companies trying to make a quick buck, which leads to the impression that US remasters are no damn good since the good stuff is drowned out by all the crap. I think that's a plausible explanation.

[postjack]

Generally my favorite discs are from W. Germany circa 1980s.

I should add that actually my favorite mastering are typically MFSLs. The above meant I prefer WG discs above most other early pressing european/japanese discs.

[deepak]

Just let me buy up all the DCCs I'm missing, they're not that good anyway

[Mastergill]

I try to buy most of my CDs from Japan, they are the best IMO, not because of different mastering but 'cuz they have the best pressing plants. Technically (most of) their CDs are flawless, which can explain the slightly better sound they may have but i've never done serious comparisons.

[postjack]

Just let me buy up all the DCCs I'm missing, they're not that good anyway

Oh I love me some Hoffman, but the Beatles and Floyd MFSLs are just about audio nirvana for me.

[mirumu]

I haven't heard different versions of enough CDs I own to comment on audio quality, but the Japanese releases do tend to come with additional bonuses like extra tracks. For that reason alone I tend to favor them.