The very best sound: Direct to Disc

(remains Ned's)? remind's me...

Just for completeness, it should be mentioned that the first two Telarc releases were D2D. There was a recording of the Cleveland Orchestra, and an organ recital by Michael Murray. I’d have to go back and listen to them, but I do not recall the Cleveland record as being particularly well received.

By the way, I think Keith Johnson (of RR) proved, decades ago, that a recording cut from an outstanding tape can have an SQ at least as good as D2D. Plus there are considerable advantages to having a tape. I have several of each and I like them all.

I have to agree. When Keith Johnson paired with Doug Sax to produce Reference LP’s the results were spectacular, comparable to D2Ds.
I can’t say the same for his CDs though.
Never liked the sound of RR CDs.

@rvpiano

IIRC he did not pair with Sax to produce RR disks.  RR and Sax's company, Sheffield Records, were competitive.  

At one time time, later in the LP era, they did collaborate in a series of 3 classical LPs recorded in Russia for the Sheffield label, "The Moscow Sessions."  However, since Johnson's very special tape machine was "contracted" to RR, they had to borrow one (from Wilson IIRC) to do these recordings.  Very good recordings, but not up to the RR standard IMO.

This was a very long time ago, so I might not have it exactly straight.

Yes, you’re right.  Got a little confused.  Sax is not affiliated with RR.
You're also correct about the Moscow Sessions.  They’re not up to the standards of RR or Sheffield LP’s.  Very distant miking, similar in perspective to RR’s present CDs.