Local or Imported CD? Does it matter sonically?

So, we had this conversation on why imported CDs cost more (they do!) and whether buying an imported CD had any benefits of a better sound in comparison to the humble local version.

I managed to try it out on one of the albums that I recently got through a friend who came back from the US. I went out and bought a locally manufactured version of the same album.

I asked Mr. Nilesh in also check this out with me {since he commented that there might be some differences on different discs stamped in different locations } 

First, we listened to both for an A/B in the studio, and we thought they both sounded very similar, except for the Low End, which we both thought had a very slight enhancement on the local disc.

We then imported the tracks into Pro Tools, realigned them to make sure they start on time, apparently there was 12 samples of differences between the two tracks (oh yeah, we found one difference between the two discs, though it doesn't make any difference for an individual owner of any of the two discs!!!!!)

Then, we inserted same plug-ins on both tracks and phase inverted one of the tracks, and they cancelled each other, completely.

We, also looked at a Spectrum Analyser for both tracks, it does seem to have some extremely minor differences between the two, but we decided they were too negligible for any serious audible differences.

AND, the conclusion is.......

We think, at least with this particular album, the only difference is the quality of the inlay paper and printing, and no difference in sonic quality. By the way, the imported version was bought form Amazon for US$1.78 with free shipping, which came to RM6 (of course to a US address!) and the local CD was bought at RM46.90.