How can you tell the quality of the recording?

Just keep focusing until you hear something bad. It's gotta be there. After all, they are CDs. Sometimes I find it difficult to ignore all that music when I'm focusing. Happy Listening

Soundstage does not extend beyond the speakers like a well recorded disc does, bass is missing, imaging is off. The overall sound is thin. All you need to do is buy an original recorded (not remastered CD) from the 80s or 90s and you will know what sounds like crap.

Really!!

Uh, I guess I just listen to if it sounds good or not.
I think I didn't understand the question...

As in all cases its the mastering job of the recording, there are good recordings from the 80's and 90's not many but good examples are Donald Fagen's the Night Fly and Dire Straits Money for Nothing, One more thing to consider as cd has reached a maturity level of playback the better sources now available has brought my collection back to life in new way's as some recordings I use to think were unlistenable before now have a little more of my respect. Not sure why this is so but since adding the Oppo 95 with those lovely Ess sabre dac's may have something to do with it!