For the Rock & Pop genre, Mobile Fidelity (MSFL) gold discs (ultradisc) are about the best of the best. Unfortunately, the went out of business a while ago, so finding 'em can be tough and and paying for them can be even worse! They are getting pricy. Try "elusive disc", eBay, or half.com. DCC also produces gold discs...good, but in my opinion, not quite the sonics as MSFL. Japanese pressings are usually outstanding. Next on the list are German, Austrian, and Dutch imports. British imports' sonics run "hot and cold", but the quality is at least equal or better than American pressings. I have been really impressed with the Canacian discs that I have heard. Be careful of "Remastered" discs. Sometimes, they run compression at mastering, making the disc sound more powerful but losing micro-dynamics. I have a remastered Yes "Classics" and a Japanese version not remastered...the Japanese version wins hands down. STAY AWAY from anything marked CEMA or Sony Music Special Presentations...in my experience, both have nasty sonics especially on the high-end. If you listen to strings forget about CD format and go to analog...these instruments just seem to have an edge to them on CD that vinyl seems to get right. If you want to know about specific titles, you may e-mail me.
