Although it still has not been determined, with the volume of songs you have on a CD, it sounds like you are creating a data CD rather than an audio CD. Your CD player on the gig is able to play those data files as audio (not all CD players can).

For an audio CD, the MP3 files would first have to be de-compressed by the software. In your case, though, I don't know what is happening.

The rest of your description of hardware connections, burning speed etc. sounds fine. What CD burning software are you using? Also, could you elaborate on "does not sound any where near as good"? Are we talking EQ, hiss, stereo image, clarity of the sound, or what? That might give more clues.

BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors