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How to find the good CD recordings?

I'm new to high end audio but have a decent system. One of the things I've noticed with this new (old) system, is that some of my CDs which I used to think sounded fine just don't sound all that good anymore while some of them sound great. A lot of these CDs are 30 years old and came from CD clubs (remember those?) and typical record stores.

I've noticed in particular that some of my Led Zep CDs just sound a little flat and a little shallow while some of the Pink Floyd and Rush CDs sound quite good. 

Is this just a matter of Floyd and Rush having higher production quality from the beginning? 

Would later "remastered" Zep CDs sound better? Is "remastered" always an indication of better or superior quality? Is it just marketing hype sometimes?

Anyway, with this new system I am inclined to buy the best quality recordings of any newer music I buy and possible replace some of my old favorites.

So is there a place on the internet where one can go to get reviews of the actual recording quality and not just the music itself. I don't see iTunes or Amazon as particularly useful here. At this point I am not interested in pursuing vinyl or high end audio files. I'm still just getting my feet wet and CDs seem like a cheap way to do that.

Any assistance much appreciated,

George
n80

Showing 2 responses by lostnamerica

lostnamerica's avatar
lostnamerica
61 posts
 
Greetings George!  I used to feel your pain in finding music that "sounded" right or good also.  As mentioned in other posts, the Dynamic Range Database is the place to go for CDs, SACDs, or LPs information.  I did not read every post completely but and could have missed it but didn't see the address for you to find this valuable info. I don't buy anything now until I have at least checked it here first...
So, here you go...and Enjoy the Music!
dr.loudness-war.info

Cheers
lostnamerica's avatar
lostnamerica
61 posts
 
For Gosta (and others): For what its worth;  be sure when checking the DR database that you are on the Specific release: (if near or complete data is avail), the barcode, origin of pressing, the date, etc, as there are many variants of album/compilations (as you know already), and of course not every recording is available unfortunately.  But you are correct in that some SACD releases/pressings are and can be terrible.  I found that out later as I have/had (copies of specific CD's/SACD's that attest to that.  For the most part, the database is what it is, and of course your system will show (or hide) the shortcomings in a respective recording/mix.  I don't believe that if a recoding/song(s) are inherently loud, has any adverse effect on the rendering of the dynamic response logarithm.   Although many LP's are decent, VG, to excellent, there are many terrible LP mixes also.   If it's a poor recoding/mix, then it will show as such.  I also agree with you on there yes to be a direct correlation to the "older" CD pressings generally tend to be more dynamic, as well as many Japanese and EU pressings.  Keep listening and, Enjoy the Music!
Cheers.
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