CD Vs LP (Yes, I know!)

[Audio Al]

My opinion is that CD stands for compromised disc ,

All hi frequency cut and low as well ,

Then whats left gets compressed

Then you hear whats left

Vinyl well what can I say other than I love it

[topoxforddoc]

What would be the dynamic range of a piece like this Charlie and how would that compare to a compressed track?
I’ve always listened to guitar based music (rock, blues, jazz, c/w) but more recently been to a few classical concerts and the sudden jump in volume at times has been a shock at these performances.

JohnJo,

The loudness-war website has a huge database about sound quality, dynamic range and compression - this shows the dynamic range for the average, worst and best tracks on the album.

Here are the data for the MJ album I posted

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...m=off+the+wall


Here are the data for Toto
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...oto&album=toto

[Macca]

All listed CD versions of TOTO IV have a good dynamic range so 'loudness wars' compression is not the issue here http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...=toto&album=IV

The CD player is far from the best, likewise the amplifier. Good amplification is essential to get the best from digital.

I have about 50 or so albums on both vinyl and CD. Only in a handful of cases does the vinyl sound 'better. But is true some CD transfers of older recordings are quite poor.

Try a CD of a quality modern digital production, if it still sounds poor then look at the amp and player.

[JohnJo]

JohnJo,

The loudness-war website has a huge database about sound quality, dynamic range and compression - this shows the dynamic range for the average, worst and best tracks on the album.

Here are the data for the MJ album I posted

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...m=off+the+wall


Here are the data for Toto
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...oto&album=toto

Thanks Charlie, very interesting site.

I’ll get a look later.

[RMutt]

wasn't the TOTO mentioned in the original post referring to Yes' Tales Of Topographic Oceans?

[Macca]

wasn't the TOTO mentioned in the original post referring to Yes' Tales Of Topographic Oceans?

Good point, But it's 'Tales From Topographic Oceans'. There are some poor DR releases of that, the SACD, the HDCD and the Japanese version. Funny how the 'audiophile' formats have the worst quality. Not the one the op has though. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...GRAPHIC+OCEANS

[RMutt]

Good point, But it's 'Tales From Topographic Oceans'. There are some poor DR releases of that, the SACD, the HDCD and the Japanese version. Funny how the 'audiophile' formats have the worst quality. Not the one the op has though. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...GRAPHIC+OCEANS

Ahh, I stand corrected. Yes not massively on my radar.

[Alex_UK]

There's a "Master" of the (correct Yes album) on Tidal, as well as a 2003 remaster - do you have access to Tidal, Peter? Might be another interesting comparison. (Not really my sort of music, but the Master version sounds very good through my current relatively modest setup.)

[Spectral Morn]

The Ocean View Digital Yes remasters are awful, no dynamics, compressed and distortion, complete and utter crap.

[Haselsh1]

Hmm, very difficult to get a superb version of a classic album these days. I bought a re-issue of Pink Floyd's The Wall a year or so back and it is dire. Flat, muffled and completely strangled. The last CD I bought though was Shpongle's Codex VI and it is sublime. Modern, digital and sublime without any of vinyl's seriously compromised low frequencies. Bloody lovely album; music and production.