But Michael, you've already acknowledged earlier in this thread that there is a massive loss in sound quality* caused by mastering for the CD format. Even assuming perfect reproduction by your hi-fi, the format is heavily hamstrung from the start. This is why an inexpensive TT, such as a Planar 3, is such a laugh - particularly when compared with an expensive CD player.

Next time you're in the UK, come up to mine for a listen if you would like to hear what a good TT can do.

* Now that I've heard this loss, I would describe it as 'taking all the leaves off the tree'. You can still tell that it is a tree, but you don't get the very subtle 'atmosphere' - type stuff, at least not to the same extent.