I understand that the data on one kind of disc/game may cause the system to behave differently (louder running), from a different one (i.e. blue ps2 to clear ps2, or shadow of the colossus compared to madden 03) but I have never heard of a noticeable difference between one system and the same game before and after buff. I may just have to empirically test this to make sure that I am not mistaken one this front.
I understand why we are all arguing about this. we have all had different experiences with this sort of thing that tell us one thing or the other that people on the other side of the argument have not had. I just have a very good question for you. do you own any discs (from the same system, preferably the exact same game) that you can upload pics of and try and point out any noticeable differences from a buffed disc to a factory one? this is just so we can all get on the same page and compare the results. this goes for both SwordDude and GF78