Do you listen mainly to Audiophile CDs and records?

Al:

I, too, have found that as I have made improvements to my system, overly bright recordings (especially with high strings) have been made more listenable.

I don’t think record companies go out of their way to make a poor sounding recording. After all, we can assume they have engineers with ears.
Generally, they have a philosophy which varies from other companies.
I feel the better resolution my system displays, the closer to the philosophy of each individual company is revealed.

Also, the philosophy of particular engineers within a company are similarly revealed.

I tend to listen to performance before recording, although sometimes they go together (e.g. Solti's Ring on Telefunken vinyl). Still it can be fun to have a sound spectacular.

I didn’t know the Solti Ring was released on Telefunken.  I thought it was only on London.
You are right though, when the two come together it’s bliss!

If we are entertaining guests  we use the CD player or the music channel on cable.
If I am in a listening mood the turn table / records. (They require more attention)