Differences in CD pressings?

[par4ken]

One would think that CD should represent exactly what the source was to create it.
It's data, either its an exact copy of the source or it's corrupt, can't see it being anything in-between.

Saying ,"But lately I've been looking to pick up some CDs to match my vinyl album collection"

You can't assume that they will be the same, because only the creator knows how close they are to being similar. So many possibilities as to the processing involved to create the media in question.

CD releases should sound much like the vinyl but without the ticks and pops. Sadly that is seldom the case. The CD is capable of greater dynamic range than that of vinyl but apart from a few audiophile releases we have never gotten that benefit. Often releases tend to be brickwalled made to sound loud, little DR all the life is squished out of them.

I don't assume they would be the same. And it wouldn't matter anyway. The CDs will be primarily used in my truck. Different acoustics, equipment, external noise, etc. I'm sure I'll occasionally play them in my home systems, usually just to test them, but they're more for the road.

I would never use a commercially produced CD in my vehicle, only copies. Disc's get trashed so quickly. With copied discs you can easily burn a new one.

 

[sqlsavior]

IMO, it's worth avoiding overly squished (compressed and peak-limited) masterings, so many of which gave remastering a bad name. How to do this?

One way is to look it up in the dynamic range database: Album list - Dynamic Range DB

Another way is to put them in a do-not-play pile once you realize they are loud, harsh trash.

 

[toddalin]

I would never use a commercially produced CD in my vehicle, only copies. Disc's get trashed so quickly. With copied discs you can easily burn a new one.

But used disks are only a few dollars on eBay, so why bother with a burner and all?

 

[curtisw99]

I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my vinyl albums. I almost always prefer NM first-edition pressings whenever possible, with a handful of MOFI albums and represses in the mix. It's caused me to drop some serious cabbage on a few sealed albums. But lately I've been looking to pick up some CDs to match my vinyl album collection. My 2018 truck has a CD player in it, and I've got component CD changers in both my main and bedroom systems. So I bought three Pink Floyd CDs: The Wall, DSOM, and Wish You Were Here.

After I bought them, I began reading about the sonic/musical quality differences in CDs of different pressings. I'm wondering if this is all a bunch of BS marketing crap or if there's actually something to it. It it worth the time, effort, and expense of seeking out particular pressings of the CDs I want? I'm not interested in the MOFI Gold Discs or Japanese issues, as they're usually more expensive than my rarer vinyl. Instead, I'm thinking about original pressings vs. remastered issues.

What do you think?

The Steely Dan box set sounds better than the Dan CDs that were just transfers.
Not because the plastic discs are any better or worse, because they mixed it for digital.

 

[onepixel]

Diana Krall - Stepping Out, 1993
1993 US
unknown date, reissue Club Edition, US
2000 Remastered, Canadian
2016 First vinyl issue, remastered, 180gm, 2xLP, Canadian

I like the 1993. Superb.
They're all great, remaster seems to be a bit louder.
Vinyl is my favorite, especially with headphones.
One of the albums I use to test systems.
Your mileage may vary, depending with gear.