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Best CDs

I'm new to Audiogon, and know the depth and breadth of the knowledge and experience of the people who post on the Forum, so I apologize for this amateur question.  I'm strictly digital.  I've just upgraded my system with an OPPO 205, Krell Theater 7WD, Krell Foundation 4K, and B & W 804s, 805s, and center speaker.  I've played some CDs (old collection), and they sound awful.  Is there a good brand or brands of CD and/or source that I can rely on for future purchases, or is it more complicated than that.
daj2832
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
I have the 2011 remastered version of Achtung baby by U2 and it sounds rather good.  Don't know about the original CD though. 
daj2832 OP
14 posts
 
In response to the questions above:

1.  The sound in bright and shrill.

2.  The equipment is brand new.  I am upgrading from a Denon 7200 and Oppo 105D.

3.  The CDs sounded worse on the old system.

4.  Room: 15' wide X 25' long; rectangular, because it's next to an open dining area; tables and couch; floor is wooden covered in part by an area rug; and glass doors on the left side of the unit approximately 5' away.

5.  Audioquest Rocket 88.
tomcarr
1,523 posts
 
The room will give you typically half of what you hear. 
Get Jim Smith's book Get Better Sound for guidance on system setup and room treatment.
My system started out Krell and Oppo with no room treatment and lots of hard, reflective surfaces. The sound was bright, shrill and awful.
Now my current system sounds wonderful because:
Setup per Jim Smith's suggestions
Room treatment
Different amp
Krell and Oppo products typically sound very clean, clear and analytical but can become bright and shrill without proper setup and treatment.
Hope this helps.

Tom
corelli
1,000 posts
 
I agree with Tom's comments for sure (see my virtual system which is just as much about the room as it is the equipment)

On the other hand, once in a while you'll get a stinker piece of gear that is clearly the problem.  For me it was a pair of Definitive Tech BP-10's.  How Sandy Gross made a vifa tweeter sound that edgy I will never know.  Had about 5 CD's that sounded good with that speaker.
david12
1,454 posts
 

 I can't comment on oppo, but on the subject of failsafe CD labels, then the following would fall in that category, IMHO.


  Stockfisch,  A great German label, with some wonderful artists, Sara K, David Munyon, Alan Taylor and many more.

ECM,   recordings are faultless, but the music can be a little avantgarde, shall we sat. Start with one or two of their compilation CDs

Chesky, of course, as suggested above.

For classical, Hyperion and Chandos are hard to beat.

MOFI

Dali: The speaker company, produce some astonishing compilation CDs.

Linn and Naim, two UK HiFi manufacturers that have been releasing great Cds for years.

 There are many more, but that should get you started.

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