The absolute best and worst-sounding CD you own ?

Thank you Viridian. Why anyone would use this recording as a "reference" is beyond me.

Quick Story: The first time I heard Cafe Blue was while purchasing a preamp from a fellow AudiogoN'r. He wanted to demo his system for me. As shrill as this cd can sound, you ain't heard nothing 'til you you've heard it through Audio Physic Virgo IIIs driven by a Krell KST-100...NEARFIELD! Whew! That was brutal.

Priz - In reference to Counting Crows August and Everything After" - I just listened to it a few nights ago (for the first time on my new system) and noticed a few things. First, as a whole, it's not a bad recording. Up until Hard Candy was released, it was their best sounding album. Hard Candy, while highly "produced" is a better recording, but still not great. Anyway, August and Everything After varies greatly from track to track. I haven't looked at the liner notes, but I'd guess that some tracks were recorded in different studios. "Omaha" is the best track, sonically by a long shot. "Anna Begins" is a close second. The hiss that you refer to is primarily found on the opening track and is quite noticable. Either it gets better as the album progresses, or the neurons stop firing and I don't hear it anymore :)

yeeeeesssss, ¨Rickie Lee Jones¨, circa 1978, is maybe the best sounding cd i have heard.
This mortal coil´s ¨blood¨ is most excellent,too.

The worst: P.J.Harvey´s ¨is this desire¨...pity, because the songs are excellent... but the bass is out of control most of the time, and the rest of the spectrum is modulated and fierely distorted

Me, from Buenos Aires

Curbach, Springsteen recorded "Nebraska" on a 4-track cassette in a non-studio setting (motel room?).

Fmoreno - that's exactly how P.J. Harvey wants it to sound. She's never made a non-distorted recording in her life. The distortion is part of her signature sound.

Yet another list that makes me glad I'm a music fan rather than an audiophille,a lot of bonkers postings including a guy who states he hates the music but loves the recording!
Nebraska is a classic.

About Alison Krauss and Union Station "Live". Its good no doubt. However "Now that Ive found you: A collection" is the best sounding release from Alison Krauss. The vocals are smoother and more natural sounding, less hiss and breath, more voice. I own all of the hybrid sacd's and the CD layer on all 4 of these are the best cd's I own. I havent even heard the sacd layer yet! I cannot wait.

Rounder records is doing something right!

Vedric