Remind all of the Lincoln Mayorga albums of the 1970's that were direct-to-disc. Evidently, Sheffield still does this. I suggest you buy some of their items and then discuss.
As the recording engineer posted above (@solypsa), a lot depends upon the people involved in the process from beginning to end. For example, we were told back then that, including the actual materials used in the blanks, the time after stamping that the vinyl was left on the press to form/harden was important.
If you read the liner notes on the Mayorga albums, you will see that they were done with the most careful processes available at the time. I would guess they still use the best possible processes and equipment available today.
They remain superb recordings that anyone who is interested in this debate should listen to, as well as the later ones from Sheffield, before making blanket comments.
Cheers!