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
+1 for Strange Angels by Laurie Anderson. Still love it after many years, and it also makes a great test CD - Monkey's Paw in particular.
"the sound they want is the sound that will sound good and is catered for the masses that use cheapo cd players"

Very true. An audiophile friend of mine once visited a well-known recording studio and complimented the recording engineer on the great speakers they had. The engineer pointed to an unnoticed pair of crappy little speakers and said that's what he mixed it for, because that's what most people heard it on.
For jazz, I've been having really good luck with the Highnote label. their recordings are excellent. Some are recorded in the Van Gelder studio, which - I'm happy to report - seems to have a new piano.