Early 90s digital: whatz up?

With all these dicussions about the quantum leap digital sound has made since the early 90s I had to post a recent purchase...I picked up a CD import form one of my favorite Brit indie bands from the early 90s(Pale Saints)that has never been remasterd and was flabbergasted at how good the sound was...huge open soundstage and very 3-d instrument detail...and this is a fuzzy guitar band(which usually dont transfer to digital well)...at any rate...this is one of the best sounding rock cds i have heard...which leads to believe...its all in the initial recording...which as we all know...varies considerably...any thoughts...granted digital has improved...but to what extent?