Quote Originally Posted by rb122
Difference in frequency balance - that is a likely explanation for why most CD's sound shrill and grainy. The LP has a more natural frequency balance, in most cases. I'd say you're correct. But what is it that causes this frequency imbalance in CD? Most people would say it's the recording or mastering. Do you agree?
Yeah, that's my guess. New CDs, at least the classical news, generally sound better than the ones made years ago, especially the LP reissues. Maybe it's 20 bit process but the bigger factor is probably smarter EQ by the engineers.

My preferance, biased maybe, and definitely based on the equipment I own is:
1) SACD
2) CD
3) Vinyl

No, better CDs don't sound "grainy and etched" to me (despite my amp being Phase Linear 400 circa 1978). Maybe its my SACD and CD players, or maybe it's my ears that are 58 years old.