Information wanted on Obi discs from Japan
Robert Harley -- Mon, 06/19/2006 - 20:02
Hello,
I am a avid reader of the magazine and thoroughly enjoy it. Bravo on
adding a few more prints per year. I have been collecting CDs for
the last 20 years. Though, I have auditioned SACD, my collection is
too vast to replace, thus I tread on with CDs. In addition to the
standard record store stuff, I seek out higher quality CDs when ever
possible - DCC Gold, Sony Mastersound, MFSL, Rhino Handmade,
Reference Recording, and etc.
My question is concerned with the remasters coming out of Japan, the
so called "obi" mini-LPs. Very little information is on the net
about them (other than, they are "collectable" and usually marked up
200 to 300% above usual CD markup). I have a few, and do notice
differences within the music. Primary they seem to be remastered at
a higher volume. Some CDs such as Santana/Santana seem to be a bit
clearer, unveiled, more airy around the instruments - however I
notice a bit of too much clinical scrubbing to the voices, they
almost seem to loose some of their harmonic cohesion & warmth.
Thus, aside from being a different remastering job, what is the story
behind these Japanese mini-LP CDs? Do you have any info? Are they
considered to be audiophile quality recordings or just a marketing
job? Of course, the artwork and packaging seems to be very nice
(much better than the norm) but what about the actual music on the CD?
OBI (OBI-stripe) designates Japan-issued records and CDs, and refers to a narrow band around the sleeve (or jewel case). Allegedly, the word is derived from Japanese traditional-dress kimono belt "obi." Since many people dispose of the OBI as extraneous packaging, it's become a collectable part of Japanese-issue products.
As for mastering, it's possible different sources were used, but it's doubtful there are too many differences--the OBI stripe is really the attraction that you are paying for. That, and the occasional presence of bonus tracks.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
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