How much is about the recording

@skyscraper Class A- Dire Straits, Steely Dan, Chris Isaak, Norah Jones, Supertramp, Moody Blues, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, Andreas Vollenweider, Cat Stevens, almost any jazz or classical album

Class B- Genesis, Heart, Eric Clapton, Roxette, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Queen, Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Rolling Stones, Alanis Morissette, REM, The Cult, The Black Crowes, Billy Joel, INXS, Aerosmith, U2, Brooks & Dunn, Donnie Iris, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, The Who, Klaatu

Class C- Jefferson Airplane, Ted Nugent, Procol Harum, The Mamas and the Papas, Little Feat, Roy Orbison, Lynard Skynard, Ramones, Uriah Heap,  Faces

Class  D- Robert Johnson, Chicago Blues, Leslie West

This list is a guideline. There are some songs that sound better (or worse) than the overall grade for the album.

PS- my ratings are based on sound quality only, not artistic or musical quality.

I have no problem enjoying a class C recording as much as a class A recording.

I would buy your list. But I would add a class A+ for my audiophile favorites like: The Holly Cole Trio, Mapleshade Art of the Ballad, Mindy Smith, and Famous Blue Raincoat.

@russ69 I hear what you're saying. I've thought of adding an A+ list of the recordings that are truly incredible.

That list is a good barometer to compare quality for sure.  I'm lucky that my system can finally portray the venue's ambiance or lack of.   It quickly sorts out bad recordings from great ones, but at the same time recordings that were almost un-listenable in past systems are enjoyable again.   I can appreciate "rough" recordings for what they are and great recordings sound pretty awesome.