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Why can't all/most recordings be this good?

Changing components this weekend (swapping out my MF Trivista 300 for a Hovland hp 100/Bel 1001 Mk V fronting Meadowlark Blue Heron II’s), I picked some of my cd’s that had, what I consider, exemplary sound. I listened through the day & evening, marveling at the crisp, delineated, but musical sound but also began to question: Why aren’t all/most recordings done in this manner?
I am not a sound engineer nor musician. I have no knowledge of mixing, microphone placement, layering, etc. But some recordings are so outstanding in their clarity, instrumentation, and pure enjoyment that many others pale in comparison. Granted, I am dealing in only one aspect (redbook cd) of media, and only with a single genre of music. And I certainly didn’t compile an exhaustive list of recordings; just ones I listened to of late. I would certainly like to add to the list and hear other’s opinion.

Lenard Cohen Live in London, 10 More Songs
Rickie Lee Jones Rickie Lee Jones
Aaron Neville Warm Your Heart
Chris Izak Baja Sessions
Allison Krause and Union Station Live
Govi No Strings Attached
farmdoc
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Because they are, for starters, compressed. Maybe a new labeling requirement should be whether they are or not compressed. Often, if you compare an issued Cd againist the same music on an SACD, the difference will leap at you.

Lastly, some engineer's do it better, with perhaps Steve Hoffman being the tops. He is doing Nate Cole for SACD, worth checking out.
lenny_zwik
259 posts
 
Larry Carlton - Greatest Hits Rerecorded
Gordon Goodwin - Big Phat Band (any of them)
Jimmy Buffet - JVC XRCD Songs you should know by heart
Allison Krause - New Favorite (SACD)
Neil Young - Prairie Wind; Live at Massey Hall
James Taylor - Live
John Mellencamp - Life and Death
Roy Orbison & Friends - Black and White Night
farmdoc OP
45 posts
 
I suspected some were just stamped out for mass production and others were directed by the artist(s) to have a quality, audiophile flavor. Mlauner seems to agree. Will check out L. Anderson, don't have any of her work. Appreciate the names of the higher quality engineers, Shadorne; these are the guys doing the mixing and arranging of the final product, right?
Good suggestions on other cd's to try.
chatta
314 posts
 
I think a lot of it does have to do with the fact that great recordings do not necessarily result in higher sales. And less than great recordings do not necessarily hinder high sales.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
Because, hardly anyone in the recording business gives a hoot about a few audiophiles, the sound they want is the sound that will sound good and is catered for the masses that use cheapo cd players, alas they will sound awful in your mega buck system, and not surprisingly will not sound bad played through a ghetto blaster. We few, who require quality recordings to show off our gear are merely like a grain of sand in the Sahara compared to those that listen to music with lesser gear and could not give a chuff about speakers that cost more than a house.
Most classical music and possibly jazz also offer the best quality recordings for us few, well they do in my collection anyway.
NB-That's not to say all recordings of other genres sound bad.
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