I know that the quality of the recording and mixing/mastering process is of the utmost importance. I've heard all sorts of things, such as that sound engineers usually mix for diverse sources, that they usually don't include a lot of low frequency information (or at least, such information is reduced to mono), usually a lot of dynamic compression happens during the mixing process, etc.

I'm wondering if there's any meaningful label/brand identification possible; does label X usually mix for lower-end systems / does label Y usually include good LFE stuff / does label Z not compress their music much? Are there well-known 'audiophile-friendly' labels, and not-well-known 'audiophile-friendly' labels (or vice-versa)?

Anyone have insight on any generalizations about which recording studio does what?

Thanks guys!
Mike

Excellent question. Anybody in the know on this?

Music Direct has a great selection of CDs from audiophile-friendly labels. I've found some great albums there.

Yeah, and they've also got a lot of snake oil. Good for a laugh!

the snake oil is only 70 bucks! i should buy four cans just to make sure. I'll even coat the power connectors on my toaster just to make it toasts my bread to absolute perfection!

but aside from that, the website looks good. Anyone who recommends Patricia Barber has some sort of good taste!

Can't I just spend $7000 and get a jumbo vat of that stuff to dip all my electronics in?

The only generalization I've noticed is that those 20th Century Masters - the silver "Best of..." CDs at P.O.S. (Point of Sale, not piece of...) stands are terrible. They're distributed by MCA (a Universal Canada company), and the one I have here is labelled that it was assembled at MCA Music Media Studios, N. Hollywood, CA. The first track (My Generation - the Who) exhibits some major digital clipping. Other than that, I've been really pleased with a lot of Warner releases, but it really depends on where and who it's mixed and mastered by.

Bren R.