Am I totally nuts or just a bit off?

" The very best stereo classical recordings are almost invariably those which have been recorded using a minimal number of microphones, perhaps just two or three, well placed in a good hall. And with minimal or no subsequent mixing, equalization, limiting, compression, or other processing."

No doubt!

Stereo rules in this case. Many early stereo classical recordings were done exactly this way in order to show of the medium's capabilities and are still hard to beat.

The mono recordings I tend to like best are from the 50s and early 60s and of smaller rock, blues and jazz ensembles. Recent digital remasters of most any mono recording on Sun, Chess or even Stax labels are outstanding.

Just the other day I was marveling at how good the original "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry was sounding.

Schubert- any of the usual suspects, music direct, acoustic sounds, etc. should have it. It was done by Boxstar, which surprised me, since I was very disappointed with another of their remasters. But, make sure it is the 45rpm. I have an original Liberty pressing down in Texas, but I haven't listened to it yet (since my gear, RCM, etc. is not there yet). Good luck and enjoy. Cry Me a River is worth the price of admission.

Thanks Fellas , one and all !

The very best stereo classical recordings are almost invariably those which have been recorded using a minimal number of microphones, perhaps just two or three, well placed in a good hall. And with minimal or no subsequent mixing, equalization, limiting, compression, or other processing.

Only true if you attach primacy to the sound of musicians performing in a space. If you're more interested in the just the sound of the musicians performing, then you need to be open to post recording manipulation. All performing spaces don't sound great. Microphone placement is always a compromise between tonality, detail and spatial info. Even in great sounding spaces there's no agreement about the best seats in the house. Each recording is unique and may require a different set of tools.

Of course, one man/women sitting on a stool reciting poetry might favor a mono recording. The more complex and numerous the musicians the larger the hall all lend to a multi microphone/input recording.

Casablanca is magical in black and white and I would not even watch it in color, neverless hdtv.