Notation/Rating/Music Samples:

Ed1 : Vinyl RED ref 19439855001- 2021

The vinyl has a pressing with a good dynamic range. The pressing is of good quality without problem of surface noise. The rendering is more dynamic and detailed than CD and MP3 release.

The vinyl sounds different from the Streaming edition which has a similar dynamic. Indeed, to make a vinyl, the low frequencies must be in mono to make a correct engraving whereas the Streaming version uses stereo bass, even for the frequencies of 40 Hz. So we lose in spacialization on the vinyl version compared to the streaming version (For more details, see the spectral analysis of the vinyl review, here). This is an example of the limits of the vinyl record. This is clearly identifiable in the sample. Apart from this limitation, it is a beautiful record.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

Ed2 : CD ref 19439854972 – 2021

With its DR7 compared to the DR11 of the stream, the CD is always in the loudness war. The rendering is less dynamic and less precise than the Ed3 Streaming.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed3 : Streaming ref Amazon Music Ultra HD – 2021

The streaming version is more dynamic (DR11) than the CD (DR7) and than the vinyl (DR10). It is the most dynamic release and best reproduces the original mix, especially in the low frequencies, where the bass stereo cannot be reproduced on the vinyl.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed4 : MP3 ref 19439855001 – 2021

It is the first test with an MP3 version, we are surprised that the download proposed with the vinyl is an mp3 version and not .wav as we can find it on other vinyls. We find a weak DR like the CD, and the loss of information of the MP3 process. It is a version to forget.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 16 bits 44.1 kHz (wav from MP3 File):

Ed5 : Vinyl ref 19439854971- 2021

The vinyl has a pressing with a good dynamic range. The pressing is of good quality without problem of surface noise. The rendering is more dynamic and detailed than CD and MP3 release.

Like the Ed1 vinyl RED, the black vinyl sounds different from the Streaming edition which has a similar dynamic. Indeed, to make a vinyl, the low frequencies must be in mono to make a correct engraving whereas the Streaming version uses stereo bass, even for the frequencies of 40 Hz. So we lose in spacialization on the vinyl version compared to the streaming version (For more details, see the spectral analysis of the vinyl review, here). This is the same limit of the vinyl RED. Apart from this limitation, it is a beautiful record.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

Ed6 : Hi-Rez Qobuz- 2021

With its DR7 compared to the DR11 of the stream, the Hi-Rez Qobuz is similar to the CD with the loudness war. The rendering is less dynamic and less precise than the Ed3 Streaming.

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

• Sample : “Alone” 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Which release should I choose?

For the first time, the streaming version is ahead of the other 5 versions.
The CD and the digital files is still in the loundness war.
The mp3 does less well than the CD.
And the vinyl (black or red) offers the best restitution after the streaming, but remains in second position because of its mechanical constraints not allowing to engrave bass in stereo. The vinyl remains a beautiful object with a 16 pages booklet.

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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