High quality CDs

I just purchased Frank Zappa's 40 anniversary orchestral favorites remastered by Robert Ludwig from original analog master on CD and it sounds glorious. I agree CD audio quality can be pot luck. 

@mapman this is the gear.. Luxman D03X, Mcintosh MC53(soon to be replaced with Luxman C900U) and Luxman M10X, through Magico A3's.. The good CD's sound like I am in a cathedral or a symphony hall with beautiful acoustics.. Here are some of the names that I find really terrible.. Duetsche Grammophon, Teldec, Hyperion, Musea, Sony Legacy, EMI, London.. I am also hearing that a good system is unforgiving of bad recording.. So not sure what to think..

DECCA sounds great.. 

You can't make a direct correlation between record label and quality of sound.

There are multiple variables here: the space in which the recording was made, the circumstances under which it was made (especially time constraints), and all the sound engineering and recording (type of microphones, placing of mikes, recording medium), etc. etc.

So in the catalogues of all those labels you mention, there are at least some very good sounding CDs.

Many smaller labels promote their sound as one of the bigger buying points, so they tend to curate the whole recording process more carefully.  But even then there are no guarantees.

How about Telarc?  Have you tried some of their pioneering discs?

I think the key point here is the assertion that certain recordings are “bad” to start with. Bad is a very subjective and general adjective. It will literally mean something different to everyone.

Expectations matter. If you expect all recordings should sound the way you think they should that is the trap that many fall into or chasing something they want that does not exist.  You will always be disappointed and lose interest  

Think of recordings as works of art. There are all kinds all different. Each has something to offer. If you have good vision you are in a position to best assess art visually. Same with a hifi. A good one gives you a clear view of the recording at hand. You either appreciate what it has to offer or not. Each is different though. Try to listen for what is there in the music that might be of interest. That allows one to find something to appreciate in more recordings. That’s what music lovers do. Whereas a hifi or technology lover will focus more on the imperfections and all recordings even the best have those. Recordings are what they are. You either value a recording in some way or you don’t. It’s all fine. Just don’t get caught on the merry go round where practically nothjng sounds the way you think it should or want it to. It is what it is. No hifi will change that. It can only let you hear how every recording is different, which I view as an interesting thing worth experiencing. Cheers!

One other suggestion I can make in cases where someone has a great system but finds most recordings lacking is consider Ohm Walsh speakers. These do things totally differently. They present the music like a live performance on your room rather than as a conventional stereo speaker delivery of what is in the recording. These are for people who just want to enjoy all kinds of music effortlessly by placing the music in your room rather than just firing a recording at you.  It just might be the ticket a true music lover is looking for.   I have two pair in addition to others.