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How do you guys choose between CD releases?

This has been been bugging me for some time now and I'm wondering if any of you guys have a sensible way of choosing which release of a CD to buy. I buy the vast majority of my CDs on Amazon and too frequently have to choose between two releases of a CD e.g., 1990 or 2003. If there is a remaster I usually go with it, unless I'm warned off. That doesn't bother me, it's choosing between to releases with no more to go on than the year of release. You can't judge by sampling; you don't even know which release you're listening to, and Amazon reviews are seldom release specific. Should I just buy the newest, the cheapest or (gulp) most expensive? Any secrets? How do you guys decide?
phaelon
gfroman's avatar
gfroman
142 posts
 
How can anyone say the new 2009 remasters of the Beatles are worse than the older versions?
They sound a heck of a lot better in all my audio systems!
oakleys
78 posts
 
what about the quality of the "reviewer?" and what if they are just listening to snidbits over their mp3 players. dont most reviewers just regurgitate whatever press comes with the new release, maybe not...but it sure seems to me most of the time its always just rereading the same thing over and over with different jokes or whatnot.

actually, where are the reviews about the sound quality of releases? would like to check some out.
phaelon OP
1,052 posts
 
"what about the quality of the "reviewer?" and what if they are just listening to snidbits over their mp3 players."

Good point Oakleys, especially since I frequently rely on Amazon reviewers. I know quite a few people who listen exclusively on whatever system comes as standard equipment with their car.
oakleys
78 posts
 
ohh, your concerning buying online off amazon...ahh.

i've nver done that. i live near a college campus and am a short bicycle or walk away from some 4 or 5 really nice record shops. lots of great used vinyl and new releases available and local bands releases etc., same for cds. never thought of going online.

good luck.
bgeofft-duplicate-0
174 posts
 
Definitely delve further into reviews than the consensus of music reviewers on Amazon. Preferring mostly classical, Jazz, and the ECM catalog it is somewhat easier to gleam useful feedback about this or that recording because very useful websites, blogs, and listener reviews exist. Even in the Amazon reviews you can parch nuggets of faith if you delve into the reviewers history of music reviews, find the top-rated reviewer upon who opinion you have trusted previously. Ultimately you do take a leap of faith with reviews though, such is the nature of opinion.
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