Notation/Rating/Samples:

Ed1 : Vinyl Blue Note ref 00602435689852 – 2021

The vinyl has a nice pressing with a very good dynamic range. The background noise is restrained. The rendering is a bit warmer than the streaming version. We find the atmosphere of the concert with a very open scene unlike the CD which erases this precision.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5/5)
  • Surface noise: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)

• Sample : “Don’t Know Why” 24 bits 176.4 kHz:

Ed2 : CD – Blue Note ref 0602435689845 – 2021

The compression of the CD is clearly audible, we lose all the nuance of the voice, the space of the concert. To enjoy this album you have to listen to the vinyl version or streaming.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●ooo (2/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Don’t Know Why” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed3 : Streaming ref Ultra HD (Flac) – 2021 

The streaming is far superior to the compressed CD version. We find here all the nuances of the concert with more dynamics DR12 vs DR8 (CD), which is in addition reproduced in 24 bits 96 kHz.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)

• Sample : “Don’t Know Why” 24 bits 96 kHz:

The choice between the 3 versions is simple. If you want a material support, the vinyl (Ed1) perfectly fulfils its role with a very beautiful rendering of the voice and a warmer atmosphere of the concert. Now, if you prefer the digital edition, forget the CD and listen to the Streaming release (Ed3) which reproduces all the dynamics, the sound space and the details of the music of this new album of Norah Jones.

Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

---