UHQCD Technology

How is Ultimate High-Quality CD made?

Explore the photopolymer casting process, reflective materials, disc compatibility and the differences between UHQCD and MQA-CD.

Read the complete UHQCD guide ↗

MADE IN JAPAN · ULTIMATE HIQUALITY CD

UHQCDUltimate Hi-Quality CD

A different approach to the art of compact disc manufacturing — precision-cast photopolymer, carefully selected masters, and full compatibility with conventional audio CD players.

Explore the albums Discover the technology

Ultimate HiQuality CD Memory-Tech · Japan

THE TECHNOLOGY · MEMORY-TECH CORPORATION

Beyond conventional CD manufacturing

After years of work developing higher-grade HQCD materials, Japan’s Memory-Tech pursued a more fundamental change: how the disc’s microscopic data pattern is reproduced.

01 / The original HQCD approach

Refined raw materials

Earlier high-quality CDs used high-transparency polycarbonate and an upgraded reflective alloy. These changes refined the materials of an essentially conventional injection-moulding process.

02 / Conventional CD replication

Injection-moulded pits

Molten polycarbonate is pressed into the pattern of a metal stamper. Because the material remains viscous, reproducing exceptionally fine geometric details is a manufacturing challenge.

03 / UHQCD construction

Light-cured photopolymer

UHQCD uses liquid photopolymer to take an exceptionally detailed impression of the stamper’s pits, then cures it with light. A protective polycarbonate layer completes the structure.

CD-compatibleWorks in ordinary CD audio players

Japanese manufactureDeveloped by Memory-Tech

Photopolymer castingFine-detail stamper replication

Understanding sound-quality claims

UHQCD is a physical manufacturing format, not a higher-bit-depth audio encoding. It uses standard CD-DA audio data. Playback differences depend on the disc, player and mastering; mastering-source quality remains essential. The manufacturing advantages described above are those reported by the technology developer.

Featured UHQCD · Pre-order

John Coltrane — My Favorite Things

Discover the landmark Atlantic jazz album in a Japanese UHQCD edition from AudioNautes Recordings, catalogue AN-2614-UHQ.

Expected Q4 2026. Precise release date and final specifications remain subject to confirmation.

Alternate dark Gold Series edition cover

Limited edition · Gold Series · AN-2614-UHQ

A landmark of modal jazz

Originally released in March 1961 by Atlantic Records, My Favorite Things captured John Coltrane at a turning point. Its four expansive interpretations of standards helped introduce a broader audience to Coltrane’s soprano saxophone and the possibilities of modal improvisation.

Recorded at Atlantic Studios, New York, in October 1960 and originally produced by Nesuhi Ertegün, the album pairs Coltrane with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Steve Davis and drummer Elvin Jones.

Product reference

Catalogue: AN-2614-UHQ
Label: AudioNautes Recordings, Italy
Series: UHQCD Gold Series
Format: Made-in-Japan UHQCD; MQA-CD advertised by retailer
Source: Copy of the master tapes · AAD
Reflective layer: Silver alloy (official label specification)
Presentation: Rigid gatefold; gold-coloured edition branding
Genre: Jazz · Modal Jazz / Hard Bop
Original release: March 1961 · Atlantic Records
Reissue schedule: Q4 2026 — precise date to be confirmed
Status: Pre-order advertised by retailer; despatch following release

Original album track list

My Favorite Things
Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
Summertime
But Not for Me

Musicians

John Coltrane — soprano and tenor saxophones
McCoy Tyner — piano
Steve Davis — double bass
Elvin Jones — drums

UHQCD manufacturing and playback

UHQCD (Ultimate HiQuality CD) uses precision photopolymer casting and ultraviolet curing in its disc manufacturing process. The CD-standard audio layer remains playable on regular CD players. Optional MQA decoding, where confirmed on the final issued disc, requires compatible equipment; the disc does not require an MQA decoder for ordinary CD playback.

Mastering and edition note: AudioNautes currently identifies an analogue master-tape-copy source, a silver-alloy reflective layer and rigid gatefold packaging. The retailer describes an MQA-CD edition. Exact channel configuration, numbered limitation and final MQA encoding should be checked against the finished product; they are not represented here as independently confirmed.

Pre-order / view retailer listing ↗ Official edition specifications ↗

THE AUDIONAUTES CATALOGUE

UHQCD Discography

Original editorial notes, edition identifiers where confirmed, and verified track lists. For any unverified edition-specific details, follow the matching product listing.

Browse the complete UHQCD shop ↗

AudioNautes time out UHQCD edition cover

AUDIONAUTES RECORDINGS · UHQCD

The Dave Brubeck Quartet — Time Out

A landmark 1959 jazz quartet recording, celebrated for its adventurous time signatures, including Take Five and Blue Rondo à la Turk.

Reference: AN-2513-UHQ
Format: 1 × UHQCD
Label: AudioNautes Recordings
Release year: 2025
Musicians: Dave Brubeck · Paul Desmond · Eugene Wright · Joe Morello
Recording notes: 1959 recording; Columbia 30th Street Studios, New York. Original recording engineer: Fred Plaut.

Full verified track listing (7 tracks)

Blue Rondo à la Turk — 6:45
Strange Meadow Lark — 7:25
Take Five — 5:25
Three to Get Ready — 5:25
Kathy’s Waltz — 4:53
Everybody’s Jumpin’ — 4:26
Pick Up Sticks — 4:17

How is Ultimate High-Quality CD made?

UHQCDUltimate Hi-Quality CD

Beyond conventional CD manufacturing

Refined raw materials

Injection-moulded pits

Light-cured photopolymer

John Coltrane — My Favorite Things

A landmark of modal jazz

Product reference

Original album track list

Musicians

UHQCD manufacturing and playback

UHQCD Discography

The Dave Brubeck Quartet — Time Out

Antonio Vivaldi — Le Quattro Stagioni

Stan Getz & João Gilberto — Getz/Gilberto

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio — Blues for K

Bill Evans Trio — Waltz for Debby

Miles Davis Quintet — Relaxin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet

Harry Belafonte — Belafonte at Carnegie Hall

Nat King Cole — Penthouse Serenade

Various Artists — 15th Anniversary Limited Edition

Cannonball Adderley — Somethin’ Else

Miles Davis — Kind of Blue

Carl Orff — Carmina Burana

Arne Domnérus — Jazz at the Pawnshop

Johann Sebastian Bach / Jean Guillou — Toccatas et Fugues

Bill Evans — Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Music chosen for the listening experience

Browse UHQCD album covers

UHQCDs — all listed editions

Album artwork · verified editions

Antonio Vivaldi - Le Quattro Stagioni [CD]

Antonio Vivaldi - Le Quattro Stagioni [UHQCD]

Arne Domnerus - Jazz At The Pawnshop - Vol. 2 [UHQCD]

Arne Domnerus - Jazz At The Pawnshop [2XUHQCD]

Arne Domnerus - Jazz At The Pawnshop [2xUHQCD]

Astor Piazzolla And His Tango Quintet - Live Lugano 1983 [UHQCD]

Gregorio Paniagua - La Spagna [UHQCD]

Gregorio Paniagua - La Spagna [UHQCD]

Jazz at the Pawnshop - Vol.4 [UHQCD]

John Coltrane - My Favorite Things [UHQCD]

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue [UHQCD]

Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain [UHQCD]

Nancy Wilson Meets The Cannonball Adderley Quintet [UHQ-CD]

Oscar's Motet Choir - Cantate Domino [UHQCD]

Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz / Gilberto [UHQCD]

Stockholm Cathedral Choir - Now The Green Blade Riseth [UHQCD]

The Bill Evans Trio - Waltz For Debby [UHQCD]

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out [UHQCD]

The Miles Davis Quintet - Relaxin' With The Miles Davis Quintet [UHQCD]

Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners [UHQCD]

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Blues For K [UHQCD]

Various - 15th Anniversary Limited Edition [UHQCD]