Abstract: A hermetic compressor including a crankcase defining a cylinder. The crankcase has an annular recess formed in the discharge end thereof which defines a shoulder. A cylinder head is disposed over the annular recess. A discharge valve assembly is disposed in the annular recess and includes a valve plate disposed in the annular recess immediately adjacent the shoulder. A valve plate wave ring is disposed at the outlet side of the valve plate and biases the valve plate against the shoulder. A valve leaf disposed radially inward of the first wave ring overlies the discharge ports in the valve plate and has an outlet side facing the cylinder head. A valve leaf wave ring is disposed radially inward of the valve plate wave ring at the outlet side of the valve leaf and biases the valve leaf against the valve plate.