High quality CD recordings


Over the last 55+ years I've spent significant time and effort trying, as we all do, to get the best sound from our systems as practicable. I'm quite happy with my current setup so the weakest link many times is the quality of recordings themselves.

I was reminded of this while using a test CD that I've used off and on for about 15 years to evaluate some recent changes I made. On this CD, after the more technical part of frequency testing is ended, examples of various instrumental and vocal presentations are given. While listening I was reminded of just how significant a difference in recordings themselves can make.

I've used advice given on these forums regarding superior recordings but these have been recommendations for specific single CD's like, for example, "Jazz at the Pawnshop" and many more. What I'm looking for, though, are recording entities that are dedicated to producing high quality recordings across the spectrum of music genres. It would be nice to have a source of recordings that we could generally depend on for good quality. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
128x128broadstone
I 2nd. Reference Recordings and Chesky. Formerly, Telarc were considered in that league, now, although I still enjoy many of the Telarc CD's that I own, I no longer consider them as having the same recording qualities as the former two.
Hello again and thank you Broadstone. The co-inventor of HDCD, Keith Johnson, is the same genius behind the Spectral gear and Reference Recordings. He has been fanatical about every step of his recordings--he can afford to as I believe one of his early innovations was a major factor in cassette duplication-probably providing a decent income! His partner at Spectral, Richard Fryer, is also simply "fanatical" about leading the pack. Briefly, I feel the quality of REFERENCE RECORDINGS offerings is definitely due to Johnson's genius and his design work with Spectral as he hand built some recording equipment used in recording for Reference. Thanks to Richard Fryer, of Spectral Audio, for the repetoire of Reference Recordings, and thanks to KEITH JOHNSON, true Polymath, for bringing the recordings to life.
I feel their recording quality is unsurpassed, and they have introduced real genius players, for example Kronos Quartet (I'm lucky enough to have their first Reference Recording with a piece called "Funky Chicken" if my memory serves me, so their ears are good). IMHO one could do well to acquire ALL their recordings-I know they will stand the test of time. Philips (hope my spelling is right-I've had some fine rye tonight celebrating that I go in for more heart surgery at 6am tomorrow((if I don't post again you know why :-) . My friends say I'll be fine as only the good die young; and 65 is the new 40)) label also has countless beautifully recorded albums by fabulous artists. I'll post more if I'm not busy talking to Twain, Dickens,Poe, Orwell, Kafka,Carroll, Huxley, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven,Matisse,Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt,Cezanne, Titian (my grandfather, a Norwegian whaler owned a Titian and gave it to the catholic church-who guaranteed him a seat in the first row, oh yeah..) on & on and hopefully all their interesting friends). There are many fine labels out there. (Hope I'm hear to post tomorrow). Cheers.
when it comes to high quality recordings it really matters to me the recorded material/musicians. don't wanna hear same things alloveroveroveragain as well so don't bother testing samething morethantwice. ECM label is the right match for me all the way on CD.
As I do for all advice solicited on these forums, I'm usually just looking for good starting points toward particular and, in the end, adjusted personal goals. In the past, though, I've not paid sufficient attention to recording labels which has resulted in continued failed attempts to get more out of them than they could provide.

I don't have a purpose designed and built listening room, have suffered some age related hearing issues and have been advised that my equipment is not reference grade but it works well for me and seems to be quite revealing of upstream issues. Just so you know, these components are: Shanling Cd S-100, CAL Alpha DAC, Peachtree Nova as preamp, Peachtree 220W amp, Martin Logan Ethos speakers and misc not too special ICs and speaker cables.

Btw, Ptss, assuming my math to be correct, if 65 is the new 40, 72 would be the new 44, except I'm conviced that the effect on physical aging, including hearing acuity, beyond 60 is not as linear as we might wish.