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How to find the good CD recordings?

I'm new to high end audio but have a decent system. One of the things I've noticed with this new (old) system, is that some of my CDs which I used to think sounded fine just don't sound all that good anymore while some of them sound great. A lot of these CDs are 30 years old and came from CD clubs (remember those?) and typical record stores.

I've noticed in particular that some of my Led Zep CDs just sound a little flat and a little shallow while some of the Pink Floyd and Rush CDs sound quite good. 

Is this just a matter of Floyd and Rush having higher production quality from the beginning? 

Would later "remastered" Zep CDs sound better? Is "remastered" always an indication of better or superior quality? Is it just marketing hype sometimes?

Anyway, with this new system I am inclined to buy the best quality recordings of any newer music I buy and possible replace some of my old favorites.

So is there a place on the internet where one can go to get reviews of the actual recording quality and not just the music itself. I don't see iTunes or Amazon as particularly useful here. At this point I am not interested in pursuing vinyl or high end audio files. I'm still just getting my feet wet and CDs seem like a cheap way to do that.

Any assistance much appreciated,

George
n80
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Timely tip: all things being equal CDs with a solid silver disc around the spindle hole sound worse than those with transparent rings. Don’t believe me? Use a Dremel tool with the abrasive attachment and remove the solid silver layer around the spindle hole. Theory - The solid silver disc is highly reflective of scattered laser light, thus produces more noise.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,403 posts
 
The solid silver disc is highly reflective of scattered laser light, thus produces more noise.
I guess that’s possible since it’s often advised to use a coating or cover the the reflective areas of CD’s.
But as I stated earlier, finding the best quality CD pressing is a crapshoot. Some of my silver ring CDs have outstanding SQ. However, first issues are not always the best sounding, even when they have the transparent inner ring. I have some late issues that sound better.
I’m a collector of CDs and vinyl so I like owning first pressings, including the silver discs. And they do maintain their higher value.



jafant
19,056 posts
 
n80
Rock On!
n80 OP
2,112 posts
 
jafant, will do! 

Slightly off topic but not really.  As I've been learning about hifi sound and going through all my CDs there are a few that seem like standouts in terms of SQ and one of them that has kind of become my test CD and which I keep coming back to is Sting's Soul Cages.

This CD was bought when the album came out, the original release from A&M Records dated 1991, catalog number 6405, barcode is 07502-16405-28. It gets high numbers on the Dynamic Range DB.

It is also marked as recorded in "Q Sound". Looking that up it seems it is not something that caught on. I'm not sure why because it really seems to work. The SQ is so rich, the bass is deep without being muddy or boomy (except on one track, Why Should I Cry for You, where it is clearly intentionally boomy with in your face timpani drum). The CD draws me back as much for the SQ as the songs themselves. 

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there for folks who might want to give it a listen or might have some thoughts on Q Sound.
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
N80, I agree with your view of the quality of Soul Cages except for that the timpany drum (or what it is) is far away back in the soundstage and that the bass is actually perfect in balance. Not muddy or boomy at all :-).
Interesting what different speakers and room can do to the sound....

However, I would wish Sting used his bass more offensively after he left the Police. It's mostly playing very low and hard to hear at all and in my opinion rather boring to listen to. Actually you don't listen to it at all. Suppose he wants it that way. But besides that I agree most of the songs are really well recorded with layers of instruments and a very deep soundstage. So reference quality and also a fine test what the speakers can do with the bass.
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