@slaw I have multiple copies of all three of those albums. I'm not sure if any were first pressings. I have not taken the time to listen to them back-to-back compared to the mfsl versions. Those are three of my favorite records, so I may not have Listened as closely for sound quality, but nothing offensive ever jumped out at me.
My goal is to enjoy the music. When I start dissecting it, it takes some of the enjoyment away. However when obvious flaws in the sound quality present themselves that also takes away from the enjoyment.
I'm not questioning your assessment of those records by the way. When I say they sounded great to me that doesn't invalidate your impression of them in any way.