Orange Book specifications are exceeded in all areas with the critical Reflection Ratio increased to greater than 74% through the use of a silver reflective layer, resulting in greater compatibility with a wider range of CD recorders and players. (Silvers are pro cdr’s)

That said, so what. If the original recording that is burned on it is subpar then you still get a subpar sounding Silver, however you will hear subpar more clearly and you will have a subpar recorded Silver for a lifetime. Obviously the opposite is also true.

Nevertheless, having had both regular CDR’s and Silvers of same shows it is easy to see why COLLECTORS would want the Silver.

Gold & DVD-A don’t gain you anything w/ boots unless the SQ is 9+ or 10, professional over average SB, and even then it’s a case by case situation. For nostalgia purposes and lower costs I go for the vinyl more often. However, for boots in the last 2 decades that isn’t much of an option but there have been exceptions for special high end releases like Zep’s O2 show.

Costs for many Silvers are high and quite frankly out of bounds for the medium, but as with anything it’s what the market will bear. I look for sales, trades and even non compressed dwnlds(flac).

Afterall, it’s a boot for christ sake, made by a particular kind of fan for the enjoyment of similiar fans(the majority of a fan base is out of the loop), so why should it have to costs so much? Ask the label makers.