While ripping CD's with Exact Audio Copy to transfer to my music server I discovered something interesting. My copy of Patricia Barber's "Cafe Blue" ( Blue Note Records - non HDCD version) would not rip. EAC would try and try, slow down to 0.1x speed and would finally give up trying to fix all the errors.

I took a look at the CD with Plextor's PlexTools Professional XL. At least my pressing is an absolute mess! - it is full of C1 and C2 errors. Worse, it has many CU (uncorrectable) errors -a cacophony of color! A duplicating house would never accept this CD for replication. A properly recorded/pressed CD does not have any C2 errors, much less CU errors.

The Beta/Jitter tests results are similarly dreadful.

The CD looks perfect: no scratches or any visible flaws.

I borrowed a friend's copy. His pressing is much better: more or less normal C1 errors with nothing untoward going on. However suddenly during the last ten minutes there are many thousands of C2 errors, although no CU errors.

Both copies play in my CDP (Sony SCD-XA777ES). On quick comparison they sound the same. The error correction of this player is very good. Perhaps this has saved me from audio horror. I haven't had the chance to try my copy in other players yet.

I have always suspected that the lower frequencies of the upright bass have been EQ's out on the recording of "Ode to Billy Joe", but this is a different issue.

This is a favorite test CD among audiophiles. Yet, at least the two copies I have are very poorly pressed. Has anyone else seen, heard or otherwise had problems with this CD?