On a different note, share the artists you own that DON'T sound good


Use whatever parameters you pay attention to. Timbres, dynamics, clarity, imaging, soundstage, top-end, mids, bottom-end, etc.

In my collection, the artists that (usually) don't sound good are-

Faces

Rod Stewart 

(early) Rolling Stones

(some) Ted Nugent

(some) Eric Clapton

(early) Aerosmith

(early) Beatles

(early) Credence

(early) Doobie Bros

(early) The Clash

Foghat

(early) The Who

(early) ZZ Top

(early) Led Zeppelin 

Janice Joplin

I've probably overlooked some other stinkers in my collection

Thank  God for talented remastering engineers!

tomcarr

I'm going to say something radical: Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly"

Super crisp, clear, punchy -- but that early digital glare is really hard to take. Even he moved away from those recording methods on subsequent albums. Compare Nightfly to Kamakiriad or Sunken Condos and the difference is undeniable.

Can’t think of any that never sound good. If that is the case it’s possible either the hifi needs some work or expectations need to change or both.