Bluesky, you answered your own question, you just listen to them. Get a few cds that are generally considered to be well recorded and mastered and then compare others to those.
If you tell us what kind of music you like we can make some recommendations. I'd guess that the new Dark Side of the Moon remaster would be an example of good sound.
Some people train their ear to do "critical listening" as opposed to listening solely for pleasure. They do this so they can note various distortions or small differences in recordings and gear. I don't think that's necessary unless you are willing to put in the effort and money to get up into the higher reaches of this hobby.
If you can get to an audio show (CES, RMAF) you can hear examples of really good sound and not so good sound. Then see how your tastes match up with others. Enjoy your listening, that's the whole point of all this.
If you tell us what kind of music you like we can make some recommendations. I'd guess that the new Dark Side of the Moon remaster would be an example of good sound.
Some people train their ear to do "critical listening" as opposed to listening solely for pleasure. They do this so they can note various distortions or small differences in recordings and gear. I don't think that's necessary unless you are willing to put in the effort and money to get up into the higher reaches of this hobby.
If you can get to an audio show (CES, RMAF) you can hear examples of really good sound and not so good sound. Then see how your tastes match up with others. Enjoy your listening, that's the whole point of all this.