Ask an Audio geek

[Kosh]

As we've established, CD is a superior format over vinyl when it comes down to the measurable specs.   The problem with CD isn't in the format, but in the mastering process.  In the mid 1990's we started to see the "Loudness War" take hold. 
  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war  
  
I am personally very sensitive to the effects of the Loudness War, and is the main reason I started getting back into Vinyl about 10 years ago.

How does switching to vinyl help? If masters exist which are free from coloration, why not just record them onto a CD? What's the point of recording them onto a vastly inferior format? Or is it the same master and the coloring effects inherent in vinyl neutralize the offending qualities of the master?

That's the thing.  In many cases with newer material, a master doesn't exist that is free from the effects of the loudness war.   This isn't an issue inherent in the CD format.  The choice to compress the dynamic range and use brick-wall limiters is a conscious decision by the recording "engineer" and the artist.  It's basically an exercise in psychoacoustics, and is the same reason why some commercials are MUCH louder than the TV show they accompany.  It's an attention getter.  The same holds true for music on the radio or streaming.  The human mind thinks that louder = better, and this is a big reason why level matching is important when doing A/B comparisons with audio gear.

How does switching to Vinyl help?  
  
1) Vinyl has becomes a premium priced (aka expensive) niche market.  I think the general consensus is that people who listen to vinyl care more about how their music sounds.  Your not listening to your vinyl on a phone with cheap earbuds.  The good Artist/record labels will actually go back to the original recording tracks (before the mastering process), and create a vinyl specific master that is free from dynamic range compression and excessive volume levels.  
 
2) The vinyl medium has limitations on how loud the audio can that recorded is not present in digital.  The record would literally be unplayable if they attempted to create a 1:1 copy between a CD and a record.  The cutting lathe use to create the vinyl master would cut through the acetate master blank.  Sometimes a record label will go the cheap route in a cash grab and use the digital master.  They take the same master used for the CD, reduce the volume level, and apply RIAA equalization.  These records still sound like crap, but IMO are generally more listenable than the CD.

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I'm an avid audio geek and music fan.  I've been into audio gear and music since I was in my teens.  I purchased my first decent stereo when I was 14 (1982), and I spent over $1000 at the time.  I've been obsessed ever since.  I sold high end gear in the early 90's, and know a bit about audio engineering from friends and acquaintances.

I can tell you where the sweet spot is, and what is snake oil.

I also have an IT background so I've built a fair amount of HTPC's.

Fire away..

Can you answer anything I couldn't google myself and if so what would that be? Other-words: what questions would I not search for?

In all honesty.  I think the only thing that I can give you that google can't is my opinion.