AudioNervosa
The Market => Group Buys, Groupons, and Tours => Topic started by: biglou on August 18, 2007, 07:49:02 PM
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i may be able to set up an xrcd group buy, i have not contacted the source and would first like to gauge interest. comments, thoughts, what kind of realistic discount would get you interested?
cheers
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I would be interested. Do you need a special player to play them? How do they work?
Rich
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nope. its just a proprietary process for mastering a recording. here's some JVC propaganda:
"JVC has painstakingly gone through every step of the mastering and manufacturing process with
the goal of retaining the highest sonic purity of the original music. This was accomplished not by just
measuring the results, but in extensive listening tests to determine the best configuration. Every com-
bination of equipment, connections , AC power regulation, word clock distribution, mastering format,
delivery system and compact disc construction was tested. The results is the xrcd, a compact disc
that offers clearer definition, more accurate imaging, and higher audio quality than any compact disc
before.
The xrcd process starts at the mastering level. The analog signal is taken directly from the mastering
console and digitized using JVC’s 20 Bit K2 Super Coding. The K2 is a 20 bit, 128 times over-sam-
pling analog to digital converter which provides a dynamic range of 108 dB, -96db THD, flat frequency
response in the passband to within +/- .05dB, and a substantial reduction of harmonic distortion for
low level signals. The K2 Super Coding also provides a bit down mode to convert 20 bits to 16 bits,
and interface signal reshaping to eliminate time base jitter in the digital data stream.
These two functions are taken advantage of during manufacturing. The 20 bit digital signal is then
transferred to a PCM-9000 using SDIF-2. The PCM-9000 stores the information on a magneto-optical
disk instead of transferring it to the U-matic 1630 format tape. The xrcd process takes advantage of
the stability of the magneto-optical disk, as well as its 20 bit capacity, by using it as the audio storage
medium for delivery to manufacturing.
At the JVC manufacturing plant in Yokohama, the 20 bit PCM-9000 magneto-optical disk is converted
to 16 bits using the K2 Super Coding in bit down mode, via a SDIF-2 connection. This stage resolves
the high resolution 20 bit signal to 16 bits while retaining the integrity of the low level information,
which insures a true 16 bit dynamic range without using noise shaping. The 16 bit signal is then EFM
encoded.
Another K2 circuit, called the K2 Laser, is used to reshape the EFM signal right before going to the
laser of the glass cutter. This last stage is the same circuit used for the K2 Super Coding interface,
which eliminates any time based jitter that may be present in the data stream. Throughout this pro-
cess, the word clock is amplified and distributed to the other stages to keep signal quality at a maxi-
mum. Similarly, all equipment is run off regulated AC power feeds to provide a pure base from which
to work. All cables and connections between equipment use the SDIF-2 interface for sonic quality
and music integrity. Tests determined the SDIF-2 offered a superior transmission of digital audio, far
above the AES/EBU standard. A variety of materials, including 24K gold and pure copper were tested.
Ultimately aluminum was decided upon after extensive listening tests. The end result of this manufac-
turing process is the highest quality digital transfer from mastering to compact disc."
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Depending on the type of music available, I might be interested in a group buy. Is there a catalog available anywhere?
WEEZ
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www.elusivedisc.com is now the US Distributor and have the full list of xrcd titles. in order to get much of a break we'd need to commit to a fairly large order. most xrcd titles are in the "audiophile genre" meaning alot of jazz and unusual music, and not much rock/pop... i'll see what people think this week and explore what kind of discounts may be available.
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I've got about a dozen or so XRCDs. While a bit pricey at list price, they are definitely excellent recordings.
I think a group buy on music would be awesome. Depending upon the discount, count me in for a few! Who are you thinking of working with? Any chance vinyl might be an option as well?
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i'm going to ask Bob Bantz of elusive disc. i know bob, but have yet to explore this idea with him. for simplicity i was just going to ask about xrcds due to easier packing, the fact that he is the US distributor, and that it would keep orders fairly simple. my GUESS is that he has more room to wiggle with xrcd, than say Classic Records.
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Count me in too.
-- Jim
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I've browsed the titles...and depending on the price..there are definately a few I would be interested in..
WEEZ
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Thanks for the explanation Tyler, that is cool. Seems like they are trying to eliminate distortion from the entire mastering > printing process.
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Might be interested in 1 or 2 discs.
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I might be interested in a couple. Just need to find time to peruse the selection.
Bryan
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I'm not nuts about browsing randomly through titles... but I'd be very interested in buying at least a couple. Why couldn't they break it down a bit? If anyone sees any good acoustic rock, let me know.
-Carl
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i'm waiting to hear back from Bob. my sense thus far is that there is not enough interest to warrant a big discount. i'll let everyone know when i hear back from bob.
cheers
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See if you can get a sense of what "big enough" would be... I think the XRCD discs are exceptional and rarely can be found at a discount beyond 10%.
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the best i could get was 10% off plus free shipping but we'd need to order greater than 25 discs combined. payment would be made directly to elusive disc (details to follow).
cheers
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That's great Tyler, Nice goin! 8)
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Tyler,
I looked through the entire catalog yesterday and see maybe a dozen or so I'd like right off the bat, but given finances, it will be more like 6 to 8 for me at this point.
In the long term though, there is a whole lot of fantastic jazz and lots of exceptional classical performances in the catalog.
I'm going to have to get a copy of "Jazz at the Pawn Shop" so I can compare it with my 200 gram, 45 RPM vinyl rendition of the same.
One question: is there any difference, in terms of playback equipment needed for the XRCD2 format?
Thanks for doing this,
Jim
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Yeah,
Please post the details of how to order, etc.
WEEZ
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One question: is there any difference, in terms of playback equipment needed for the XRCD2 format?
Jim, here's a link on the Elusivedisc site that describes XRCD and it's various incarnations... no special equipment needed.
http://www.elusivedisc.com/xrcdinfo.asp
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some of my favorite xrcds are on the Three Blind Mice/FIM label. check out the Yamamoto Trio stuff, its pretty killer and very well recorded. also, the Jazz at the Pawnshop is indeed outstanding.
cheers
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The Three Blind Mice recordings are very good...very well recorded. I have older copies, but I have heard the newer XRCD's....they did an excellent job. 8)
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I'm not nuts about browsing randomly through titles... but I'd be very interested in buying at least a couple. Why couldn't they break it down a bit? If anyone sees any good acoustic rock, let me know.
-Carl
Sorta Rock...more blues...but good acoustic....
http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SFSXR5039
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Thanks, Wolfy... checked out her tunes, even on the PC I can tell it would sound very nice.
I browsed all 17 pages and I'd be in for a few... likely 3 or 4...
-C
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some not so great news: bob is requesting one order without shipping to multiple addresses. i would be willing to take the shipment and then ship at cost via usps. that would still be cheaper than normal shipping. a single cd via media mail is less than a dollar.... this kinda kills the free shipping aspect. we would still pay him directly/individually. i havent tried to bend him on this but he may be more generous to any larger individual orders. so, i propose we all decide what we want then email or pm me your order, and i negotiate further. if the volume is relatively low, i am willing to accept shipment and then remail, or people can take the 10% and have him ship directly to individuals. hopefully this isnt too complicated. thoughts? suggestions?
cheers
tyler
my email: yskipper@mac.com
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okay. just got word that any individual order of $150 or more will receive 10% off and free shipping. thus, i wouldnt have to be in the middle. not bad, thats somewhere in the realm of 7-8 xrcds. how does that sound?
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Nice deal - I don't think I've ever seen them off a 10% discount *and* free shipping.
So when you say, "individual order of $150 or more", do you mean $150 per person or $150 for the full group buy? I know I've asked this before, but if per person, any chance Bob would include vinyl or other non-XRCD CDs in this deal? (I'd spend $150 easily but not likely on just XRCDs).
Thanks again!
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any single order (per person) that is 150 or more will get the 10% + free s/h. otherwise its just 10% off.
sorry i made it confusing.
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I agree with mdconnelly. For the XRCD's, it would likely be 2-3 pcs. If other things could be included, $150 wouldn't be hard.
Bryan
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Yup, it wouldn't be hard at all to spend a lot of money at Elusive Disc, or Acoustic Sounds for that matter.
I played my first SACD on my system a week or so ago, and whaddya know -- I liked it :D. Don't know if I'll be making any major investment in SACD, but if an interesting title shows up now and then, or I come across some interesting used ones, at least I can now play them.
And then there's vinyl...
-- Jim
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...so, what's the next step?
If less than $150, should we PM biglou?
thanks,
WEEZ
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good news. the offer will extend to anything at elusivedisc that IS NOT already on sale. thus, any order over 150 dollars will receive 10% off plus free shipping. this includes LPs, xrcds, and all gear not already on sale. when you place an order thru their website, put "xrcd deal" in the message box. or if you call in your order ask for bob. tell them that you are buying with the deal arranged by tyler. i'll let them know to start expecting orders.
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Tyler, that's awesome. Thanks!
Is there a timeframe on this?
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obviously it cant be forever. i imagine a week to ten days... i'll see if it can go thru Sept 1. i'll try and finalize all details tomorrow and post a summary then.
cheers
ps: there's some damn nice TTs and gear there. i wish i was a little more flush!
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It is a nice store. I'm gonna have to look this over carefully!! WEEZ, that AQ tonearm!! I know you don't need it, but I've been looking at it, but no TT to put it on - :duh
Thanks Tyler. This is a great group buy, pick anything you want!! I love it!
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okay, just heard from Bob. deal is thru Aug 31st.
1. open only to AN members, and all website items not on sale are eligible
2. only orders over $150 will receive the 10% off plus free s/h
3. no orders will go thru me, all will go directly to www.elusivedisc.com
4. only items that are not on sale are applied to the 150 dollar sum, and only items not on sale will be eligible for the discount.
5. WHEN PLACING THE ORDER PUT "XRCD DEAL" IN THE MESSAGE BOX & complete the sale. when you submit the purchase, the discounts wont show, the sales are actually processed by hand and you will see the discount on the receipt that is emailed to you.
happy shopping,
tyler
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the Analogue Production Fantasy 45 LPs are awesome and never sell below their listed price. i highly recommend them. getting them at 10% and free shipping is the best anywhere short of being friends with Chad.
other good LPs:
the Groove Note Lps are pretty good, especially the ray brown and gene harris LPs
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OK. Not to be difficult - but what if we have an order that's not $150? There's no 'group buy' then on this? < $150 is just 10% but no free shipping? No discount?
Bryan
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the discount only applies to orders of 150 or more, thats the catch.
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Understand. The original topic was a GROUP buy. What I'm asking is that have we now changed this so each individual must purchase at least $150 or is there still a group going together in addition to the larger individual orders?
Bryan
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its not really a group buy anymore. its just a discount for us on orders over 150 dollars and lasting until Aug 31st.
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OK.... So, does anyone want to volunteer for doing a group buy for a few orders?
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If there wasn't a "group," then the individual discount might not have happened. I like this kind of group buy :) No middle-man needed!
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Hey Rich,
Yup, the PT-9. Bought one a month ago. Just in case...well, you know :lol:
I don't think I am ready to drop $150; so, if anyone wants to gang-up with me, send me a PM.
WEEZ
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Tyler... just want to make sure I do this right... 'XRCD DEAL' does not work in the Promotional Code box. The only message box I see is a text box for shipping & packing instructions - is that where I should put it?
Also, if anyone wants to piggyback an under $150 order on mine and willing to pick it your order up from me (I'm live in Durham, NC and work in RTP), I'd be glad to include it so you can get the 10% discount and free shipping.
Thanks again!
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Tyler... just want to make sure I do this right... 'XRCD DEAL' does not work in the Promotional Code box. The only message box I see is a text box for shipping & packing instructions - is that where I should put it?
yes, in the shipping/packing instruction box.
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A couple new albums and XRCDs ordered, money saved, to be delivered tomorrow. Thanks Tyler! (and Bob wherever you are!).
Too often I think we loose the forest thru the trees. I love audio equipment as much as anyone (just ask my wife), but I think it's great to find ways to get more music cheaper. That's really what it's all about, right? (No, damn - still got it wrong :duh listen more, listen more - not buy more)
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It's time to shop for the holidays... Is there going to be a round 2?