Dynamic range - Album list

[square_wave]

Dynamic range for most albums available....Love this...check out Miles Dvais kind of blue

 

[Santy]

Where is the link?

I had mentioned a site for checking DR of various albums, in this thread
http://www.hifivision.com/music/51817-record-labels-responsible-killing-cd-sales-2.html#post593134

If you are referring to the same, yes, its pretty handy.

 

[square_wave]

Here it is - sorry...forgot the link in the initial post.

Album list - Dynamic Range Database

 

[Nikhil]

Nice share! Check out Thriller (the grand daddy of them all)
Album list - Dynamic Range Database

I have the 24/176.4 and it is amazing!

 

[hydra]

^^ Look at the numbers for the 1982 Japanese First Pressing! How do they do manage this?

 

[Orko]

Edged out by Steely Dan's Katy Lied which scores an astonishing 16 14 18.

 

[Santy]

I have already started referring to this site to plan my CD purchases.
Also decided to avoid buying Indian pressings after a series of disappointments in buying CDs locally.

Check these out

Salvatore Accardo Giuseppe Tartini: 3 Violin Concertos 2010 22 22 23
Heddy Boubaker + Sebastian Bouhana 2006 20 20 20
Sun Ra & His Arkestra Pleiades 1993 21 20 24
Katia & Marielle Labeque Encore! 1992 15 12 32

But beware.. Though extremely important, DR is not always synonymous to quality. A well mastered CD is likely to have a good DR but a high DR does not necessarily mean good mastering. DR I believe just sees the range of volume peaks and dips on the recording. That is probably why some lossy tracks also have high DR. I have used their software to check the DR of many tracks myself. Though almost all high quality tracks I tested have high DR, some lifeless tracks too have scored high on DR meter.


Not based on DR but this may be useful:
CommonSense Audio Recommended CD Page

It's no use having a great audio system if you're playing poor quality recordings. Following is a list of 'killer' CD's from some of my favorite artists. I've recommended a single CD from each artist's catalog. If you like the one I've selected, you would probably like their other work as well. I've also included a brief description of the type of music. These are not just great songwriting and great performances.....they're spectacular recordings as well. Super Audio CD was never necessary......just regular CD's from recording engineers that know what they're doing.

 

[soulforged]

22 22 23
21 20 24

Don't let the wives see this thread...they'll think we are getting all excited about something else :lol:

 

[Orko]

Of course, by seeking out only high quality recordings, we open ourselves to the risk of falling in love with the reproduction of the music rather than the music itself.

 

[square_wave]

One observation is that the vinyl versions of many albums have better dynamic range. Although cds have the potential for more dynamic range, it is not being used. One of the reasons why many people prefer Vinyl. Also explains why theories does not work when you discuss cd vs vinyl.

My One and Only Thrill Melody Gardot

13 11 15 Vinyl

10 8 11 - CD

Thriller - MJ

15 14 18 Vinyl

13 13 15 - Thriller (First German CD Pressing) This is the best that it gets for CD, Most people would have got much lesser dynamic range on digital ( Most versions hover in the 9 8 10 range )

I never liked Thriller on digital. Vinyl had a life that the cds lacked.

 

[IndianEars]

Of course, by seeking out only high quality recordings, we open ourselves to the risk of falling in love with the reproduction of the music rather than the music itself.

I am OK with that. I know, I Know ..... VERY Controversial statement by me ...

After spending a few lakhs on my stereo setup, I would not want to waste my time ( and reduce my enjoyment) by playing shabby recordings.

More often than not, I will not include a CD which is recorded really badly ...

Ofcourse, to each their own ..

 

[Nikhil]

Some genres like jazz, classical and/or vocals tend towards higher DR values because of moments of silence or pauses in the pieces. Which is why I think the DR values in Thriller are incredible. Contrast that with the recently released "Xscape" which measures out in the 4-6 range.

But yes DR is only one characteristic of sound - definitely not the entire picture.
One of my best digital albums is a 128kbps mp3 of "Ella & Friends" which tops out at DR 8.

 

[Orko]

I am OK with that. I know, I Know ..... VERY Controversial statement by me ...
After spending a few lakhs on my stereo setup, I would not want to waste my time ( and reduce my enjoyment) by playing shabby recordings.

And that's fine too. If it works for you, it works for you.

Personally, I have a lot of concerts that have been stealth-recorded with dodgy sound quality. I find that after the first five minutes, my ears adjust to the sound and the music and performance shines through after that.

As you say, to each his own

 

[Santy]

I wish we must not get into discussions on the human ability to enjoy music irrespective of its recording quality or the gear's capabilities. If reproduction of music does not matter, this forum will die in seconds. This is a thread to talk about dynamic range of various albums and I wish that we stick to the topic.

 

[Orko]

I wish we must not get into discussions on the human ability to enjoy music irrespective of its recording quality or the gear's capabilities. If reproduction of music does not matter, this forum will die in seconds. This is a thread to talk about dynamic range of various albums and I wish that we stick to the topic.

As you wish

I felt the general thread of the (sidetracked) discussion was pertinent. For instance, I find that one of the greatest albums in rockJimi Hendrix's Electric Ladylandscores relatively low on this scale.
Album list - Dynamic Range Database
My point wasn't that reproduction of music doesn't matter of course, it does. But surely the music itself supersedes it. Should one not listen to Electric Ladyland because one's gear demands better sound quality? There's no right or wrong answer obviously. One must decide for oneself.

On the other hand, I'm pleasantly surprised that one of my favourite "unknown" albums scores relatively high:
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=&album=good+people+in+times+of+evil

 

[IndianEars]

Guys, is there is a similar site that provides info on the Dynamic range of Vinyl Disks ?

Vinyl is supposed to have a far lower dynamic range, but to me Vinyl transients are not only audibly quicker (more dynamic range ? ) but simultaneously flow better, like live music which at a micro transient level, do not start and stop on a dime .....

Any Thoughts ?

 

[IndianEars]

Is there any way, to sort / find albums with the Max Dynamic Range ?

Which are the Top 5 ? ( any have a rating of 20 ? )

 

[Santy]

Should one not listen to Electric Ladyland because one's gear demands better sound quality?

Actually those DR figures are not pathetic. Some of the albums I bought on CD truly are. But if you are asking a question, my answer would be; avoid spending on the CD and enjoy the mp3/flac that you already have. Now I hope you get the idea. Ofcourse, not everyone who buy CDs are annoyed like me with the loudness war.

 

[Orko]

Of course, not everyone who buy CDs are annoyed like me with the loudness war.

With you on that.

 

[ROBIN LANDANSON]

This past week i'd purchased lot of cd's. Most of them are very noisy or loud. It was for my experiment, bcoz i've all titles flac/wav format.
Now i'm thinking flac versions were good. I can't understand 'why indian music companies doing these type of nonsence activities?