Is New Vinyl Exempt from Loudness Wars?

LP mastering is almost always different from that of CD, even if made from the same digital file.

The reason is you don't have to compress LPs because there is no intention that they will be played in a car.

Atmasphere I know it can be different for that reason. My question is if it is in fact done that way? What is the intended audience? Audiophiles that care about the best possible sound or Iphone and Bluetooth speaker users looking for a new toy? At Urban Outfitters on 5th ave Manhattan, over the holidays, they had a large section dedicated to electronic toys. It included things from the cheapest Crosley to several entry level turntables. Also a decent selection of new records $30 a pop or more. I wonder if the records are made to just sell new junk to the masses or to truly take advantage of the format? I suspect the former to a large extent. A lot of the new record releases had nice packaging and artwork, etc. and seemed substantial, but is that just a glossy package?

Barnes & Noble now have LP displays! The sound of any given LP is determined by the record label. Sony is putting out LP's, but I doubt they have theirs mastered the way Mobile Fidelity does. Good luck getting any information from Sony about how their LP's are made.

It is a mixed bag!  If you want new music, it is all digital. Stick with well recorded CDs.

Forget new Lps, just buy used pure analog Lps, from before the CD, for best sonics, IMO.

Don, I know its all digital but that does not preclude having a superior recording in terms of dynamic range on a record compared to CD.

Its all a matter of how done and who is the target audience. I suspect new vinyl targets the masses and is not up to potential as a result. Mostly the same mastering as on CD but released on vinyl for something new to sell.  But I’m hoping I’m wrong. I would buy new vinyl releases of some popular recordings I like if I felt confident that the vinyl product is superior.

My daughter has bought one or two new records recently. One is Thriller. I’ll have to give it a listen and compare. Of course that is one of the best quality original pop recordings of all to start with. You’d think the recording industry would learn that you have to deliver an exceptional product in all regards to have success like that. Will be interested to hear how the new vinyl sounds.