Just stumbled onto this stuff. Anyone has one of these? Is this just another gimmick?

Weather Report - 8:30

Blu-spec CD describes an Audio CD manufactured by a proprietary process introduced by Sony in late 2008. Its name derives from the similar manufacturing process to that used to create Blu-ray Discs. Instead of a traditional infra-red laser, a blue laser is used for recording the pits on the CD master that is needed for disc replication. The blue laser creates more precise pits, causing less distortion in the optical read-out process.

A Blu-spec CD can be played on all CD players and does not require a blue laser to be read

Sounds gimmicky. I've never seen assertions that errors in CD playback were caused by uneven pits created by substandard lasers.

That said, optical playback has errors, to be sure. If Blu discs require less error correction... no clue.

No idea if it will make a difference in a CD player. But when ripped to a hardrive the data is identical to a remastered regular CD.

I've heard of them.

I agree it sounds like a gimmick. I also agree it wouldn't be necessary with EAC or iTunes with paranoia (?) turned on.

Depends how bad your CD player is, I guess. I imagine it's no better or worse than the best CD's, but I imagine it's better than the worst.

I have a couple of them, they sound really good but it is hard to tell if they are really that much better than plain RB versions if I could even find any. One in particular that I have does come in a two pack with one in Blue spec and one in RB, the music is something I am unfamiliar with and quite frankly I haven't had the time to sit down and really compare.

Dmitri, BTW: if you are considering that particular album (i saw your music list with Weather Report on it) this one is highly recommended. These guys are so locked in during the tour. Wow. Get it (maybe you already have!)

I don't have this one, but heard good things about it. I will put it on my "get it" list

I have a couple of them, they sound really good but it is hard to tell if they are really that much better than plain RB versions if I could even find any. One in particular that I have does come in a two pack with one in Blue spec and one in RB, the music is something I am unfamiliar with and quite frankly I haven't had the time to sit down and really compare.

Thanks for this, I will get one if I can it for "sane" price.

For $35 you could purchase one of these

http://www.eastwindimport.com/product-details.asp?ProductID=912

Just about everyone has the RB version so a DB test should be easy to set up.