Hi JL, just to make sure...would you say that you have heard those same cd's in other systems where they did not sound loud, sibilant? I have listened to Clapton Unplugged as one of my test CDs for 20 years now...just the opening Track 1 for starters. On many systems, i can say that clapping and whistling seems quite harsh...bright...fatiguing. I have heard this on some incredible SOTA systems sound this way, and so i nearly thought that was how it was supposed to sound...until i discovered, on certain systems, it can actually sound very natural, just like a crowd of people simply cheering and clapping and whistling.
My system is one of those...for right or wrong...based on my own preferences, cd's and ears...because i have acquired the equipment over the years to play my music the way i enjoy listening to it.
Coming back to you...have you heard these cd's sound great with other sources in the same system...or at least sound great in any system?