What CDs to buy

XRCD’s …. Step- up in mastering from ordinary redbook cd’s

go browse DISCOGS and ELUSIVEDISC , especially for their Various – Best Audiophile Voices series 

https://elusivedisc.com/music/digital/xrcd/

There are some small producers of high quality CDs and records of  different genres. 

Google "Analogue Productions" and "Mobile Fidelity."

For the most part, CDs were mass produced in many countries. At the peak of CD production, there weren’t many Pop, Rock, Country releases that stood out in terms of sound quality. High quality was the norm for classical and jazz. There were some great albums that should be in everyone's collection such as Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

After the mid 90s til present, record labels began to remaster the original CD releases, and started a wave of terrible sounding discs. Read about the Loudness Wars.

If you want to start listening to jazz or classical, @jasonbourne52 made some great choices.

@dhite71 

When auditioning music to buy I generally use the following resource-

AOTY

Usually at the end of the month I’ll sort the new release albums buy genre, screenshot the album cover icons to use as a list and then audition that months releases on Qobuz. I make notes of those I wish to purchase and place an order when done- Easy! 
There are other online catalogs and lists that I use as well but this provides me with the most up to date info out there. You can even go through previous years listings as well. Give it a try!

My analog slightly bests digital with many recordings , so I might listen to CDs when the vinyl is out of print. Also, I might not want to spend the asking price for vinyl and prefer to own the digital, which means CD, or download. So, for me CD is not a primary focus, but plays a small part of what I listen to. The Three Blind Mice 45 RPM box is out, so this probably retires my CD. We will see.

All that said, I can’t rationally justify buying physical media when streaming sounds so good.  That last ten percent with vinyl play comes at a premium.

I listen to classic rock, blues, soul, R&B, jazz and a little classical

Yes there are certain CDs in those genres that are considered classic for music and sound quality, but you probably know which ones those are. If not search this and other forums for Best Classic Rock CDs, etc.or just ask for examples of those and you’ll probably get a bunch of suggestions. People like to give their favorites a shout out.

just wasn't sure if there were particular labels or anything to focus on or if it was just as random as vinyl

Yeah, it's just as random.

@kota1 Makes sense....just wasn't sure if there were particular labels or anything to focus on or if it was just as random as vinyl regarding what release had the best sound

@vonhelmholtz Thus far with only about 20-30 CDs played, I cannot appreciate a difference from streaming.  Streaming has improved with the CD6 and Qobuz over Amazon.  I have found that newly recorded music streamed sounds just as good as vinyl, maybe better.  For example, buying Van Morrison, Ryan Adams or Taylor Swift's latest album on vinyl seems to be a waste.  Picking up a NM copy of something from the 70s or 80s though typically beats out the streamed version.  

@tomcy6 I do stream a lot of different and new music but was not sure about purchasing CDs simply based on this.  I had been under the impression that there were certain CDs to focus on but am admittedly ignorant about CDs and sound quality.  

Physical media is hitting the shelves at thrift store from people who are streaming. My advice is hit the local stores and binge on CD's while you can get them cheap.

@designsfx I listen to classic rock, blues, soul, R&B, jazz and a little classical.  For streaming I use Qobuz and Amazon Music.

How does your cd play compare to analog and streaming?

What kind of music do you like?  If you stream you can sample a lot of music and purchase CDs that sound particularly good or CDs that you think will musically hold your attention long term.

@dhite71 

What genres of music do you like? Do you have access to Qobuz or Spotify?

For Jazz the Blue Note CD's recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in his home studio in New Jersey back in the 50's and 60's are particularly fine!

For Classical I suggest the CD's from RCA Living Stereo and Mercury Living Presence. These were considered the most faithful to the sound of a symphonic orchestra when they were recorded back in the 50's and 60's! Lewis Layton and Donald Fine were the respective audio engineers.