As a general rule, I have found the Australian pressed CD's are consistantly the best sounding CD's! British, Dutch, German are usually better than American CD's (but then, again, doesn't every other country press better CD's, as a general rule ?!!!) But I have found a great deal of audio quality variation among European CD pressings...never any real turkeys but can be quite a variable as to fidelity. Aussie CD's ALWAYS sound great! Japanese CD's have great and open high end, but seem to be somewhat anemic in the bass region. However, try to get a copy of the DCC Japanese pressing of Leon Russell's "CARNEY" or "WILL O' THE WISP". WOWEEE!!! The audio quality and recording techniques will blow you away! (Leon is one of the most unrecognized and forgotten talents in America; and he's a super nice guy, too!) Also, Canadian CD pressings seem to be quite good as well!