What are the best sounding classical CDs

My general rule of thumb for sound quality (ignoring the performance) for a high end system, is to avoid Deutche Grammonphon CDs. While there are a few good ones; generally the way they are engineered they sound great in a budget system, boombox, or in the car; but cause me to have quick listener fatigue in a better system.

As far as the Penguin guide mentioned above: I personally find that they do a very very good job of choosing good performances; but do not do such a good job on sound quality. I suspect that the systems that some reviewers use are mid-fi at best, or they don't believe in better cables. I have compared a number of remastered CDs with older versions. Many that got worse in my opinion, they thought were a big improvement. I do agree that those new issues sound better on budget gear and boom boxes.

Bioman, I agree with you. Without naming names, some DG reissues came to mind in my second post about the Penguin guide. Older DG is better. I have not cared for too many of those "DG Originals" CDs that look like an LP. I have some I like for the performance only.

London/Decca overall are quite good; and for historic, the "Decca Legends" and "The Classic Sound" are well made. For Bernstein fans, I find those newer "Bernstein Century" on Sony an overall improvement from the older "The Royal Edition" (which are OK as well).

I agree with those who like the Mercury Living Presence historic, and the RCA Living Stereo.

I guess my name is noome.

Seantaylor, just kidding. I was just having some fun with the "noone" as a one syllable word. From some reading I have done, Decca has some great engineers in London in the 40s through the 60s who really cared about quality and accuracy. I agree with you about the balanced sound. I have bought quite a few "Legends" and the earlier "The Classic Sound" solely based on the label, and have not been disapointed. Who ever is putting together the series; they are making some great choices, and have the same level of care as the original engineers who made the recordings.

Phillips has put together quite a few historic recording that sell as 2 CD sets for the single price. There are quite a few good ones in there, especially the chamber music.