After reading this thread I just checked my copy. Must be the US Crest National pressing based on the "US" suffix on the catalogue number. There are four radial cracks which are obvious when you look for them. They don't extend beyond the inner ring.
Having read the comment about discs "exploding" in the player, I'm a bit reluctant to play this disc anymore. I't only had a few playings
I've seen first hand the damage a laserdisc can do to the playing mechanism when they explode. It isn't a pretty sight and required the whole transport mechanism to be replaced. Now I appreciate a SCAD has nowhere near the mass of a 30cm LD but just the same, I don't envisage replacing a SACD transport in the more expensive players as a cheap repair.
Which then brings up the issue of liablity.
If the disc is defective and the manufacturer knows about it - should they issue a public recall notice rather than waiting for the issue to become public in forums such as this?
Who's going to pick up the cost of replacement? I'm an overseas (outside US) customer but purchased my copy through a US on-line supplier. The cost of sending the disc back and getting the replacement back may well cost more than the disc!
If my player was damaged as a result of an "exploding" SACD, who pays for the repair? If under warranty I doubt the manufacturer of the SCAD player would be liable as it technically is only responsible to repair problems which are a result of failure or defectiveness in the player - not the media you insert into it!
On reading the responses made by Crest National on possible failures and their accellerated ageing tests, I'm just not completely convinced these discs are safe to play. I've just checked a random sample of 30 yr old CDs from my library of well over 1,000 titles. None show any of the cracking signs that my SACD copy of DSOTM has. Many of these have been taken out, played and replaced in their cases possibly hundreds of times. Not a hint of cracking on a single one of them despite being played in all sorts of players from top line decks to portables and car players.
Crest National should issue a recall notice. All on-line retailers will have a record of who they sold Crest National copies of DSOTM SACDs to. I'm suprised the reputable supplier I got my copy through hasn't notified me.
I can understand why Crest National hasn't made much of an effort to recall the defective discs. Just imagine that landfill???? I have no idea how many copies they may have pressed but I guess it's a lot.
No public recall notice kind of smacks of risk management. A little like the pick up truck that can catch fire and explode incinerating the occupants. The motor company concerned didn't recall because, in their opinion it was more economical to defend the litigation than do the right thing.
I guess with a simple $20 SACD Joe Public doesn't stand a chance because the "exploding" SACD isn't likely to cause personal injury - just wreck your very expensive SACD player.
The upshot of this is I'll be enquiring with my US SACD supplier as to the pressing source before making any future purchases. If the disc is from Crest National I'll exercise my right to decline the purchase.
Cheers,
Alan
