Part 5 : Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed1 : Vinyl ref 3542695- 2021

The vinyl has a pressing with a good dynamic range. The pressing is of good quality without any problem of surface noise. The rendering is more dynamic and detailed than the deluxe version on streaming CD. Indeed, the mix was made from new tracks, and you can immediately hear the difference in the voices, the spatial rendering. Everything is cleaner and more precise.

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

• Sample : “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

Ed2 : MP3 ref 3542695 – 2021

With its DR8 compared to the DR12 of the vinyl, the MP3 is in the loudness war. The rendering is less dynamic and less precise than the Ed1 vinyl.

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

• Sample : “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” 16 bits 44.1 kHz (decoded MP3):

Ed3 : CD4 Deluxe of “Song from The Big Chair” – 2014

It is difficult to compare this edition with the Ed1 which has a new, more precise and detailed mix. This edition must be based on a stereo recording unlike the Ed1 vinyl version which is more worked.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed4 : Streaming Amazon Deluxe of “Song from The Big Chair” – 2014

The streaming version is mIt is difficult to compare this edition with the Ed1 which has a new, more precise and detailed mix. This edition must be based on a stereo recording unlike the Ed1 vinyl version which is more worked. Compared to the Ed3 CD, the Streaming version is more dynamic with the same mix.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

The vinyl version distinguishes itself with its new mix from new audio tracks. The rendering is dynamic, clean with more precise voices and instruments. The MP3 from the same mix remains inferior to the vinyl. The CD and Streaming version are from an old mix less detailed.

Part 0: Intro

Part 1: Presentation of the editions

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamique comparaison

Parts 3 : Spectrum comparisons

Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons

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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