What CDs to buy

Welcome aboard the CD train.  I have a AR refCD7 that i still use a lot. Recently got a DCS Bartok to take me into the realm of streaming.  I find that I prefer the sound of cd's to most of the hi rez on Qobuz but not always- for instance, to my ears, most Allman Bros versions sound better streamed.  I highly encourage you to order a copy of Rupa and the April Fishes "este mondo".  It is one of the finest recordings I own and I find the music very interesting too.  "trouble" is a great reference recording.  The CD version is particular ambient.  Leonard Cohen's "ten new songs" is another one with similar characteristics. Happy listening!

While my instincts warn me against wading into such waters, I can’t resist. To come onto an "Audiophile" site in search of recommendations for recommendations of CD’s to purchase does nothing less than provide evidence that audiophiles care about the sound quality of recordings more than the music itself.

This is ridiculous. Where else should one go to find good opinions on the topic?!

No one would argue that some audiophiles do not fall into that trap category, but given the amount of time, energy and money that many put into their systems, why on earth would they not have an interest in listening to exceptionally well-recorded music? Not necessarily at the expense of less well-recorded music, but as an understandable emphasis.

I posted specifically about a genre that was generally not very well recorded, and how it is possible to find relatively good exceptions. Others have made useful suggestions as well.

Mothership - Led Zeppelin 

For well-recorded jazz try the Three Blind Mice (aka TBM) Japanese label. Pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto is artful on "Midnight Sugar" (TBM-XR-0023) and "Misty" (TBM-XR-0030).

Also for jazz, I like "Jazz at the Pawnshop" for its immersive you-are-there microphone capture. My favorite version is XRCD on the First Impression Music label (FIM XRCD 012-013).