Is New Vinyl Exempt from Loudness Wars?

Nobody said dynamic range is the end all do all for sound quality. But listen, if you buy a Ferrari that's supposed to redline at 8,000 RPM and you get it home and find out it comes with a rev limiter installed that cannot be removed that limits revs to 5,000 RPM, guess what?  You should have bought a Toyota.

I wouldn’t argue the Winehouse "Back in Black" might be considered somewhat "bright" tonally, but i would argue that if things are going well during playback, its not an issue any more than one might experience at a comparable live performance where there is nothing to take the edge off other than perhaps cheaper seats.

I find the same to be true with many newer remastered CDs in particular, DR aside. They tend to be "hotter" sounding than many older versions released prior to early 90s or so, many of which could be considered flawed in the other direction ie washed out and bland.

I recall reading there were some major changes to the standards used in mastering and making CDs back in the early to mid 90’s that accounts for the difference overall heard with many CDs prior and post. This had nothing to do with loudness wars at the time. that came into play after. So now you have both "brighter and louder" CDs in genreral.

Though I did just a few years back, I don’t find it particularly problematic anymore though. I’ve fine tuned my gear over the last few years to the point where I feel I hear what is in the recording seldom with any fatigue which is all one can ask for.

Being 56 years old and not hearing to 20Khz anymore like I used to probably helps in this regard.

@Atmasphere

Thanks for the information about using a Technics SL1200 and Grado Gold cartridge when doing a listen on a test cut, on the 14 " disc. 

The angle that the cutterhead stylus is placed at when a record is cut results in an included angle in the final disc.

Can you tell us what angle you use when doing the cutting. Do you use a set angle or can it vary for some reason ?
thanks

lots of new vinyl has been dynamically massaged and sound worse for it.
eg, the various led zepp re-issues
the new beatles 1+ vinyl

@Audiotomb re: Back to Black

I bought the UK version after the US one was difficult to listen to
the UK is better, but it’s not what it should be and this is a major artist’s legacy

I guess it is what it is - what was the engineer & Amy shooting for in the music ?
After adjusting VTA on the American version of Back to Back, I got it listenable but not the same enjoyment level in my room as the others I mention below. The cartridge/stylus type you are using will play a big part here. I think the engineer was shooting for an upfront, almost brash presentation of Amy in a bar with me sitting a couple tables in. :^) If this is true he accomplished this in my room. Throw Audiophilia out the door here. Listen with friends after a few drinks.

In a comparison of ladies, the LP packages Diana Krall Wall Flower, and Sarah McLachlan Shine On Lps are a much better package overall.
More care was taken and each album is covered over two lps. Alot of getting up ! You gotta really like doing this vinyl stuff to keep doing this.
The music not rated highest by DR standards, borderline, better than Back to Black. These albums are more musical, listenable, enjoyable for me.
According to HD tracks the best files are 44.1 but 24 bit.

The Lady Gaga Tony Bennett LP was a real roller coaster. I mean the vinyl not the music - the music was ok but the thin vinyl’s condition left me teed off so I returned it. This is where the heavier vinyl has an advantage. The store manager asked "what’s wrong doesn’t it play ?" I told him it played fine but not happy with the condition of the vinyl and left it at that. The guy did not need to be subjected to Vinyl-phile nervosa.

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Something I found interesting. In the process of ripping a few more cd’s from my impressionable years - I noticed this one.

Mike and the Mechanics (1985-US cd)

In big letters on back of CD.

"The Music contained on this Compact Disc was originally recorded on analog equipment. We have attempted to preserve, as closely as possible, the sound of the original recording. Because of its high resolution, however, The Compact Disc can reveal limitations of the source tape."

8^0

1985 CD - 13 Overall DR value - The CD Sounds excellent.

I looked and have a Mike and the Mechanics 1985 - Canadian LP Pressing.
I will do a compare for fun one day.

Cheers