CDs: Not all created equal


All: Over the past year I've renewed my hobby as an audiophile. Its been several years, and I'm getting used to SS equipment and CD playback. The system I've accumulated over the last year is as follows: Threshold Forte Model 3 (200 wpc into 8 ohms) SS amp; Parasound P/LD line-drive preamp; Arcam Alpha 8SE CD/HDCD player; Cambridge Audio Azur 640C CD player (dual Wolfson 24 bit DACs); Audioquest Midnight Hyperlitz III speaker cables & various Audioquest interconnects; Meadowlark Shearwater "Hotrod" loudspeakers and finally, an RBH passive sub with NHT SA-1 Subwoofer amp. I have learned that there is a fairly vast difference in CD quality. All of my HDCDs sound really nice (almost tube/vinyl like, but a little "brighter"), but the standard CDs vary widely. I have a few MSFL 24K gold remasters, and they are pretty nice. I just bought a Fleetwood Mac remaster by Warner Bros. that is nothing short of spectacular, even though there is no indication that it is a 24 bit remaster, etc. Are there certain brands or indicators I should look for to find high quality CDs?? Many thanks.
klipschking

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

Which Fleetwod Mac CD are you referring to?

FWIW it is often worth looking up the Mastering Engineer on artists direct. Doug Sax, of Sheffield Labs Direct to Disc fame, is probably the best known "audiophile" engineer. So far he is the only mainstream mastering engineer that has not completely sold his soul to the "CD Loudness Wars" devil - see google if you want more info on "CD Loudness Wars".
Nobody that I've ever met in my whole life gives a damn about the solstice.

Nevertheless....Earth, Sun and Moon by Midnight Oil is an absolutely AMAZING CD! (Another great production by Nick Launay who just happens to like certain LOUD Large Monitors that go REALLY Loud)