Notation/Rating/Music Samples:

Ed1 : Vinyl- Knebworth Concert 1990 ref PFRLP34 – 2021

The vinyl has a pressing with a good dynamic range. The pressing is of good quality without any problem of surface noise. The speed of 45 rpm is a very good choice for the quality of production. The rendering is more dynamic and detailed than CD release, with a little less high frequency extremes, which makes listening a little softer.

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

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” 24 bits 176.4 kHz:

Ed2 : CD Knebworth Concert 1990 ref PFR34 – 2021

The compression applied to the CD is very reasonable with an average DR of 10. The dynamic is less high than the streaming version, but the CD remains pleasant to listen to. The rendering is precise with well detailed very highs frequencies than on the vinyl.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic:  ●●●oo (3/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed3 : Streaming Knebworth Concert 1990 ref Amazon UltraHD – 2021

The streaming version is more dynamic (DR12) than the CD versions (DR10), and identical to the vinyl (certainly a use of the same master). We find however the same sound balance as the CD. The difference in dynamics is especially perceptible for the last 4 tracks.

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

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed4 : CD n°5 of the later years 1987-2019 Limited Edition Box – 2019

This 2019 CD release is identical to the 2021 CD release. We find the same characteristics as well to the measurements as to the listening.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed5 : BD n°4 Stereo- of the later years 1987-2019 Limited Edition Box – 2019 

This Bluray stereo version is very similar to the CD versions. We find practically the same characteristics as well to the measurements as to the listening.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” Stereo 24 bits 48 kHz:

Ed6 : BD n°4 5.1- of the later years 1987-2019 Limited Edition Box – 2019 

This Bluray 5.1 version is the most dynamic and immersive version for a better reproduction of the concert. The same tonal balance and precision as the stereo versions are present, but with total immersion. The subwoofer also brings a little more impact.

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

• Sample : “Comfortably Numb” 5.1 24 bits 96 kHz:

The sample is in 5.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

The new reissue of this concert is very successful in all media. There is a nice booklet with the CD and the vinyl. The CD, although a little compressed stays listenable compared to the more dynamic streaming version. The pressing of the vinyl is very successful with a quality edition in 45 rpm. The Limited Edition Box “the later years 1987-2019” released in 2019 brings in addition the concert in bluray which offers a very beautiful 5.1 rendering. It misses only the reissue of the Bluray to complete this excellent individual reissue in CD and vinyl.

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.

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