I own none of their albums on vinyl, but this one is an all analogue record so has good potential for being better on vinyl - I have read positive reviews on-line before for this LP. Not sure what the options are regarding masters/pressings. Not too many out there I would guess. Personally I'd try and get an early original pressing just in case there do turn out to be some questionable recent digital transfers out there.
Don't waste your money on Californication or By the Way on vinyl. They supposedly sound just as bad as the CDs. Stadium Arcadium on the other hand is a guaranteed recipe for audio heaven - mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray and pressed at Record Technology, Inc. - Mmmmm. I'd pick it up myself if it wasn't for the fact I'm really only a very occasional casual fan of the Chilli Peppers.
Now.
Horrible CD? Compressed? What CD of this are you listening to? Sure you've not mistakenly typed the wrong album title - do you mean one of their later albums (I get names/titles confused myself)? I thought there were only two masters of this one: the original; and a recent Japan only remix. As rock CDs go the original master of this is a pretty decent example of how to master a CD - 1991 - just before things went downhill with compression and 'smiley faced' equalisation. I haven't heard the Japanese one - is this what you have?
Thought I'd put it on as haven't listened to this in years (catalogue: 7599-26681-2).
Dynamics - check.
Drums and cymbals sound like, well. drums and cymbals - check.
All in all a none too shabby master.
Fast forward nine years to Californication - urghh, now this does sound truly horrible.