Extended Resolution Compact Disc (XRCD) is a mastering and manufacture process patented by JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd) for producing Red Book compact discs. It was first introduced in 1995.
An XRCD is priced about twice as high as a regular full-priced CD. JVC attributes this to the higher cost of quality mastering and manufacturing.
Technical overview
The XRCD definition refers to the mastering and manufacture process; the resulting CD and the contained data conform to the redbook standard and are encoded at 16 bits, 44.1 kHz. Hence, XRCDs are playable on any compact disc player.
JVC uses advanced dither algorithms (though without noise shaping) in their K2 technology to transfer the analog or digital source to physical disc. The company claims to have studied how inferior CD-remastering techniques degrade the master tape sound and strives to minimize this loss.
Unlike HDCD, the extra four bits cannot be recovered, as this method of mastering only aims to improve dithering to 16-bit, rather than to store extra data.
Mastering process
If analog, the source material is first converted to digital via JVC's K2 20-bit or 24-bit analog-to-digital converter.
The musical information is next encoded on a magneto-optical disk for transport to JVC's Yokohama manufacturing plant, where jitter reduction is applied. The musical signal on the disk is down-converted to 16-bit through a K2 "super-coding" process. This 16-bit signal is eight-to-fourteen modulation-encoded (EFM-encoded) before going through a proprietary "Extended Pit Cut" DVD K2 laser technology to produce a glass master. JVC claims this optimizes the linear velocity of the glass master, giving precise pit lengths to eliminate time jitters, controlled by an extremely precise rubidium clock. All CDs are finally stamped directly from this glass master.
XRCD2 and XRCD24 are improved versions of the original XRCD process. XRCD2 is the first to record to a magneto-optical disk via the digital K2 regenerator, while XRCD24 upgrades the original music signal's bit depth signal from 20 to 24 bits.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Resolution_Compact_Disc
K2 HD Mastering
K2 HD Mastering:
This is an epoch-making mastering technology which can pack the original attractive sound quality of master sources in each media with the information of quite wide frequency range up to 100kHz and high resolution of 24bit based upon K2 High Definition coding technology.
In case of CD mastering, it can realize very high sound quality CD which never existed before by packing the information of 192kHz and 24bit in CD master format of 44.1kHz and 16bit.
It depends on the master sources.
*In case of completed master sources such as "Analog Masters" with attractive original sound, it can keep all the information included in the master sources without any change.
*In case of Digital master sources (3/4U-matic, DAT etc.) in which the information or sound quality has already changed compared with the original masters, it can reproduce the sound quite close to the original.
*In case of master sources which need higher sound quality, it can be realized in an active and creative way.
"K2HD MASTERING" requires engineers to have enough skills in handling the equipments knowing well the special character of "K2 High Definition Coding", coping with the various situations such as the status of provided master formats, in judging the sound quality, and the best approach depending on the music genres and contents.
"K2HD MASTERING" can exist only by the engineers' manpower with high judgment for sound quality, and high skills which can match it best to the sound sources to be mastered.
The main purpose of "K2HD MASTERING" is to reproduce the charms packed in the original master sources as much as possible. It is especially effective for the reproduction of rich ambience and sound reality. Particularly it’s recommended for jazz and classical music full of sound reality played by acoustic instruments.
The direction of completed sound depends on the contents of masters but as a whole, it will be with a lot of analog taste full of depth which is soft as well as with high frequency range. Therefore, it's best for mastering of old master sources.
The process of K2HD MASTERING is the same as the one of normal mastering.
There's no special restriction for the format of original master sources or the completed format after mastering. The sound sources can be exchanged through Internet as well.
In case of CD manufacturing, as the master sound quality becomes much better by K2HD MASTERING, it will be possible to manufacture high quality CDs even if the process after mastering is the same as usual.
Of course, it's possible to play such CDs on normal CD players, which can show enough effect of K2HD MASTERING.
Epoch-making new mastering technology which can pack the original attractive sound quality of master sources brought out by mastering engineers' sensitivity and skill in each media with the information of quite wide range up to 100kHz and high resolution of 24bit based upon K2 High Definition coding technology.
The following points are necessary for K2HD MASTERING.
*Mastering engineers with high sensitivity for sounds and enough skill
*Attractive pieces of music
*Master sound sources with enough information
This CD is mastered with superior skill of mastering engineer and revolutionary "K2 High Definition Coding" technology. K2HD MASTERING enhances sound spectrum to a bandwidth of 100 KHz and 24-bit resolution, while retaining all the charm of the original recording. K2HD mastered CDs offer extended nuance, dynamics and musicality and are playable on any CD player.
K2 High Definition Coding:
New technology developed by JVC group (JVC & Victor Entertainment) which can pack the information of wide frequency range up to 100kHz and high resolution of 24bit into lower format. This is a part of "K2 technology" which is JVC's original technology for higher digital sound quality started in 1987.
In CD's case, it is possible to pack the information of 192kHz & 24bit into the format of 44.1kHz & 16bit.
K2 Technology:
In 1987, JVC and Victor Musical Industries started to cooperate with each other to improve the digital sound quality, and developed this "K2 technology" as JVC's original.
To begin with "K2 interface", innovative technology to cancel fundamentally the elements out of signals such as "jitter and ripple" added at the time of transmission of digital signals which affect much the sound quality, this technology has been active in various professional recording and mastering studios as essential technology to stabilize and improve the sound quality by removing various factors which might affect the sound quality in the process of data transmission or change of media.
JVC is proud of this technology including the newest "netK2" and "K2HD coding" toward all over the world which is evolving day by day.
Source: https://hificable.dk/k2-hd-mastering/
Below is a sample XRCD:
SHM CD Discs
Since its first release of 2007, SHM-CD format has gained much popularity and been highly-acclaimed by audiophiles around the world especially who put the importance on the quality of the sound the most. This page will show you all about SHM-CD format for further understanding on it. It would be great if this page helps your next adventure to the pursuing-the-high-fidelity-audio world.
About SHM-CD
SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) is a superior quality CD fully compatible with all CD players. SHM-CD utilizes a polycarbonate material originally developed for LCD screens, and the enhanced transparency of the SHM-CD results in more clarity, depth and definition of sound, bringing the listener ever closer to the music of the original master.
＊Results may vary depending on playback environment.
Features of the SHM-CD: Production
The injection molding system developed by JVC KENWOOD enhances the increased fluidity and greater transfer qualities of the polycarbonate, creating a new and improved disc in a compatible CD format.- The machine utilizes a precision master metal stamper also developed by JVC KENWOOD.
- SHM-CD has it’s own production line, exclusively created for manufacturing SHM-CDs.
At JVC KENWOOD, we take pride in this meticulous production process, and prioritize quality over quantity.
Features of the SHM-CD: Quality
- Every SHM-CD is made from a highly transparent polycarbonate originally designed for LCD screens.
- Increased fluidity and greater transfer qualities of the polycarbonate allow for finer precision in pit formation.
- Cleaner audio signals reduce jitter and the effects of birefringence.
Features of the SHM-CD: Hardware
- Conforms to the Red Book specification and definition of a Compact Disc Digital Audio.
- Compatible with all CD players.
- A CD with exceptional qualities across the board.
- Superior manufacturing process extracts the highest possible sound quality.
Features of the SHM-CD: Sound Quality
- Crystal clear sound.
- Significantly higher resolution.
- Excellent balance and stability.
- Reduction in distortion, and improvement in bass range volume.
Source: https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/feature/shmcd_allabout
