Does big labels spoil the audio quality? ie Adele vs Carmen Gomes

[PAP]

Reminds me of this from another thread on dynamic range;

What I find astonishing is Dream Operators observation on the Best Hi-res thread:

 

Off The Wall HD Tracks release is very compressed. DR8, compared to the original CD DR16. Yuk.

Why would they compress a Hi-res download further than the original. Hi res has room for more dynamics or do I see that wrong? I do not think that Bruce Swedien, who mixed the album would be very pleased, since he is a known anti compression advocate.

 

 

 

[Sal1950]

Reminds me of this from another thread on dynamic range;

 

 

 

 

Child Molester

[toddrhodes]

I've not heard the low DR release(s) of 25 but I have heard the Euro vinyl needledrop in 24/96. It actually sounds quite good, IMO. I have the 21 CD and it never gets played; sounds like garbage (and I'm not such a fan of the album I just HAVE to hear it). Supposedly there's a 21 re-release on the DR DB that scores better, but I can't find anything further on it.

[PAP]

I've not heard the low DR release(s) of 25 but I have heard the Euro vinyl needledrop in 24/96. It actually sounds quite good, IMO. I have the 21 CD and it never gets played; sounds like garbage (and I'm not such a fan of the album I just HAVE to hear it). Supposedly there's a 21 re-release on the DR DB that scores better, but I can't find anything further on it.

 

But why release a ''needle drop'' download and not a one to one copy of the studio master?

[maelob]

Adele No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100, Stone Temple Pilots Hit Top 40 | Billboard

 

Well very interesting the the no 1 album in the charts sounds crappy. But again how many people have dedicated 2 channel stereos. Suck to be us.

 

I guess I better get a sound bar to enjoy her music at home!!!!

[Milan]

There's a point

[toddrhodes]

I ran an experiment on another board. Posted the FLAC file of one song from each copy. Everyone who participated noticed a difference. The question of who preferred which version was almost an even split, 55% preferred the Euro vinyl (better version IMO) and 45% preferred the loud, compressed US release. It just is what it is. The good thing is, we all have a choice in what we want to listen to and from whence we source it. I never assume a new release will sound good - well, a popular one - based on record labels these days.

[PAP]

and compare the old and the new ''Gaucho'';

 

See here;

 

[TABLE=class: table table-bordered table-striped, width: 667]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]Steely Dan[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]Gaucho

i

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]1997[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]

15

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]

14

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]

15

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]lossless[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F9F9F9]CD[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE=class: table table-bordered table-striped, width: 667]

[TR]

[TD]Steely Dan[/TD]

[TD]Gaucho- Qobuz- 24bits/96kHz

i

[/TD]

[TD]2001[/TD]

[TD]

09

[/TD]

[TD]

07

[/TD]

[TD]

11

[/TD]

[TD]lossless[/TD]

[TD]Download[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[firedog]

and compare the old and the new ''Gaucho'';

 

See here;

 

 

 

As much as I don't like the volume compression, that one is probably still listenable. Better than albums with songs crushed to DR of 4 or 5 - and there are remasters like that, too.

 

BTW, the Japanese SHM remaster in SACD has a DR of 14.

Universal Music

Label code

Catalog number UIGY-9039

 

http://www.amazon.com/Gaucho-Shm-CD-Steely-Dan/dp/B001VA11JC

 

I don't know about the pricey SHM CD version, but I'd bet it's the same. Probably sounds a lot better than the volume compressed hi-res version. The 1984 CD version is also available for $6 online.

[PAP]

But why the extra compression on the Hi Res. I should think it would sell better if it had more DR.

[suresh230274]

For me high dynamic compression does work for rave and trance music but when it comes to oldies like dire straits i prefer 0 dynamic range but with a tad higher bass .

[PAP]

I guess you mean 0 compression on

oldies like dire straits

?

[PAP]

Adele No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100, Stone Temple Pilots Hit Top 40 | Billboard

 

Well very interesting the the no 1 album in the charts sounds crappy. But again how many people have dedicated 2 channel stereos. Suck to be us.

 

I guess I better get a sound bar to enjoy her music at home!!!!

 

But then discussion will start; which SOUND BAR?;)

[Milan]

Because this is how most music is consumed these days:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17224[/ATTACH]

 

But also like this:) The younger generation are getting hip to quality HPs.