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CD sound quality: original pressings vs regular remaster vs MFSL, etc

I'm expanding my music collections and acquiring/reacquiring many very old works e,g, Cat Stevens, Traffic, Moody Blues, Coltrane/Miles Davis/Brubeck, and some classical and newer popular works as well.

Does it matter much whether the disk I get is "original" older pressing, or a remastered version?  Or a MFSL?

I remember CDs were unlistenable first 5-10 years, but no idea if that was the disk or the players and not sure I'd run across any used CDs that old anyway.

Thanks for your time.
berner99

Showing 1 response by jafant

jafant
18,869 posts
 
berner99

Good advice as above. There has never been a better time to buy CDs.
If you like the sound of flat transfers, seek out the original pressings.
Reissues and remixes offer a modern sound but watch out for too much compression (loudness). Those MFSL discs vary in sound quality as well. Audiogon is a resource as is SH Forums. Use the search engine to read about your fave artist/title. Discogs is excellent as well. Have fun!

Happy Listening!
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