Best mastered recordings


I've noticed, here recently, that often times the difference in redbook, HDCD, etc, doesn't hinge as much on the final quality product/disc but more the way the recording was recorded and mastered. Specifally, I've found that I can take the same recording (Saint-Saens Symp No3) on three different labels (EMI, Telarc and Deutsche Grammophon), yet they all sound different, to some degree. I've noticed, for this particular recording, EMI and Telarc sound similar but distinctive. Yet, compared to DG, they don't match up. In fact, when compared to a borrowed SACD version of the same recording, the DG sounds more closely to its higher resolution counterpart.

To my point. Am I the only to conclude such a thing? If not, has anyone else found which recording labels produce the better recordings in comparison to others? What were your overall findings?

Regards,

Craig
cdwallace
WOW! I'm glad I didn't purchase older copies of DG releases. I'm referring to recent releases/remasters...
As for Rick Rubin, I've only heard his work with Johnny Cash on the American label, which is recorded very well. I'm surprised that he doesn't do a good job on other albums he's produced.

He likes clipping nearly everything. Producing Metallica will really suit his heavy handed skills with compressor/limiters!
I just checked the release dates of all my DG CD's and none were released before 2001. I guess this puts me in the clear.
What a shame ! That so much great music is being destroyed by completely ignorant engineers/ artists or both. Another thread talks about Bob Ludwig doing a very poor job on the latest Springsteen disc, "Magic." Since I know Ludwig did a great job on the Stones sacd remasters, it is probably Bruces' fault that his new disc sounds like crap(I hope).
If not, then it means no one is good or no one can resist what a big shot artist wants, even if he doesn't know what he's doing. The thing about Springsteen is he doesn't need the money so you would think he would care about the quality of what he is putting out? Think about the Doors, Yes, Stones, Creedence re-masters, and the Who's and Allman's Deluxe albums as good, then wonder why the Beatles, Led Zep, and others can't be put out in good form.