[mlbrand]

I just received an email from Amazon informing me that one can now pre-order "Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel" with the following information "This recording has been mastered by the K2 HD format of 24-bit 100kHz, which creates an unbelievable sound surpassing other formats! 24-Bit/100kHz Mastering! This K2 HD Mastering CD will play on ALL CD players." (For only $48.98!  )

I had not heard of this K2 process, so upon further research I found that this is basically a Redbook CD with 44 KHz 16 bit output, but a new mastering process that supposedly improves the listening experience. I also found one review from Stereo Mojo. http://www.stereomojo.com/K2%20HD/K2HDReview.htm

Needless to say I am very skeptical about paying almost $50 for a redbook CD. I was also surprised that a search of this forum turned up empty. Has anyone here tried one of these discs, and/or have any more information on this mastering process?

[ted_b]

The reason a search of THIS (HiRez Music Circle) forum turned up empty is because this forum is only about hirez formats and hirez music.  You are talking about a redbook cd.  Just because it has been remastered with kidd gloves doesn't qualify it for hirez music, sorry. 

I will move this topic to the Music Circle.  You'll get better hits over there, likely anyway, since it's about redbook.

[G.Michael]

Yes, the K2 sound is some of the best redbook I've heard, along with some of the SHM-CD and Blu-spec (lots of this on the cdjapan website for a lot less $ than than that amazon.com 'Piano Man' price).  I think all three are superior redbook formats.   

I have some very good high res downloads that, with my friend's Naim HDX high-res gear, easily give the best sound I've heard.  On my much (much, much) more modest  high-res player, although I can hear the extra detail and air of the high-res format, the sound is generally not as musical as that of my good cd player spinning those  CDs I mentioned above.   

So, I've not given up on redbook CDs.  And though I haven't bought many from cdjapan,  I've found the best-quality ones there (especially the Blu-spec format).

[goldlizsts]

I just received an email from Amazon informing me that one can now pre-order "Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel" with the following information "This recording has been mastered by the K2 HD format of 24-bit 100kHz, which creates an unbelievable sound surpassing other formats! 24-Bit/100kHz Mastering! This K2 HD Mastering CD will play on ALL CD players." (For only $48.98!  )

I had not heard of this K2 process, so upon further research I found that this is basically a Redbook CD with 44 KHz 16 bit output, but a new mastering process that supposedly improves the listening experience. I also found one review from Stereo Mojo. http://www.stereomojo.com/K2%20HD/K2HDReview.htm

Needless to say I am very skeptical about paying almost $50 for a redbook CD. I was also surprised that a search of this forum turned up empty. Has anyone here tried one of these discs, and/or have any more information on this mastering process?

In the last couple of years around here in NYC Chinatown, and what I came across traveling in China, many "OLDER" recordings have been RE-mastered using that technology.  Not sure, I think it's a technology developed by the Japanese, like XRCD..... These reprocessing techniques seemed to have come up around the time that DSD came along.  Basically, they label them as newer, better.....  My take? The recordings labeled with XRCD, K2 HD, all (?) are older recordings, RE-mastered with such technology, claiming NIGHT AND DAY improvements.  Well.... Besides, many of them command hefty prices too, like US$30, $40 even.  I personally like them, but.... feel that I have been taken on a ride because of the hefty price tags.  Are the prices justified?  May be the one justifiable excuse is that they spend so much to re-master, but the market is no longer there, as compared to say when Joel's Piano Man was first released, selling millions of copies.  it PERHAPS is an economics issue.  If you spend lots of money, but fewer copies are sold, you have to price them accordingly?  The Japanese tend to do such things "at all costs".  Many Chinese CDs use the technology reprocessing some recordings.  Add to that, theylabel their CDs as "master made in Germany".....  Why?  I dunno.  Are the Germans better recording engineers?

[whell]

Without knowing ALOT more details about these types of CD formats, and the processes used to bring them to the marketplace, it's hard to judge whether any improvements in sound quality are achieved by the updated technology alone, the remastering process alone, or some combination of the two.  I suspect its likely some modest benefits from the updated technology, and more benefits from the remastering.

[goldlizsts]

Without knowing ALOT more details about these types of CD formats, and the processes used to bring them to the marketplace, it's hard to judge whether any improvements in sound quality are achieved by the updated technology alone, the remastering process alone, or some combination of the two.  I suspect its likely some modest benefits from the updated technology, and more benefits from the remastering.

http://www.stereomojo.com/K2%20HD/K2HDReview.htm

[firedog]

I have 2 ELP albums remastered this way; they sound excellent - better than the originals. I don't know whether this is due to the mysterious K2 HD process or simply due to careful, well done mastering.

[TerryO]

I have 2 ELP albums remastered this way; they sound excellent - better than the originals. I don't know whether this is due to the mysterious K2 HD process or simply due to careful, well done mastering.

It's all of the above, and much more.

The K2 Mastering process was developed by two Scientists working in JVC's R&D Lab, whose surnames start with a K (in the English language, of course). Only the 8 or 9 scientists and two JVC executives are allowed in the high security R&D Lab, with the exception of Winston Ma of First Impression Music, who enjoys a "special relationship" with the top people at JVC.
Winston was perhaps the top Music and Equipment Reviewer in Asia for several decades before moving to the US and starting his own label. His work has generated universal praise in the Audio Press in this Country, as well as abroad.

I've heard and own many of the K2 Mastered discs and they are excellent. I might add that FIM has been granted the privilege of introducing, for the first time, many of the new formats that JVC has developed over the years.

I've known Winston for many years (he's a fellow member of the Pacific Northwest Audio Society) and his dedication to the finest music reproduction is second to none.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[mlbrand]

Everyone, thanks for the good information on this. I may try one of these discs out some day if I can find one at a reasonable price!