La version française du test est disponible ici. The French version of the review is available here.
After Deserted Palace (1972) and Les Granges Brûlées (1973), Oxygène is the successful album that launched Jean Michel Jarre with over 18 million records sold.
For this review, the listening was done with Jean Razzaroli from Vinyl&Audio magazine in which you can also find an article about the review of this JMJ album in the July/August issue.
The review includes 15 editions: Vinyl (1976, MFSL MOFI, Japan, Blue 2018, Trilogy 40th Anniversary) , cassette, CD (1983, 2007, Trilogy), Qobuz, Qobuz Trilogy, Tidal, Tidal Trilogy, DVD Oxygen 3D stereo and 5.1.
You can also find the reviews of other albums of Jean-Michel Jarre AMAZÔNIA and Live in Notre-Dame VR – Welcome To The Other Side.
Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.
To go directly to the summary of the review and the samples click here.
This album includes 6 tracks reviewed:
- Oxygène (Part I)
- Oxygène (Part II)
- Oxygène (Part III)
- Oxygène (Part IV)
- Oxygène (Part V)
- Oxygène (Part VI)
First we will analyze each edition in detail (technical and qualitative analysis), then we will compare the successive editions with their dynamics and assign a final score, and you will be able to listen some samples.
The streaming versions may evolve over time, those presented here correspond to the version tested at the date of publication, or update of the review.
Review of the editions:
Part 1: Presentation of the editions
Part 2 : Waveform and dynamique comparaison
Parts 3 : Spectrum comparisons
Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons
Part 6 : Summary, scoring and Sample
Part 1: presentation of the editions
Ed 1 : Vinyl ref : 2344 068 — 1976
Presentation
This is the original european vinyl of this album .
| Label | Polydor |
| Reference | 2344 068 |
| Format (speed) | LP 33 rpm |
| Type | LP |
| Master | Analog |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 1976 |
Ed 2 : Vinyl MFSL ref : MFSL 1-212 — 1994
Presentation
This is the MFSL release of this album.
| Label | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab |
| Reference | MFSL 1-212 |
| Format (speed) | LP 33 rpm |
| Type | LP 200g |
| Master | Analog |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud Half speed |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | US |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 1994 |
Ed 3 : Vinyl Japan ref : MPF 1098 — 1977
Presentation
This is the japanese vinyl released in 1977.
| Label | Polydor |
| Reference | MPF 1098 |
| Format (speed) | LP 33 rpm |
| Type | LP |
| Master | Analog |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | Japan |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 1977 |
Ed 4 : Vinyl Blue ref : LC 10879 88843024681 — 2018
Presentation
This is the blue vinyl remastered in 2018 .
| Label | Les Disques Motors |
| Reference | LC 10879 88843024681 |
| Format (speed) | LP 33 rpm |
| Type | LP |
| Master | From the original analog tapes |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud Remastered by Dave Dadwater Mastering from the original analog tapes |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | Japan |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2018 |
Ed 5: Vinyl Oxygen Trilogy ref : 88985361872 — remastered 2016
Presentation
This is the vinyl from the beautiful Oxygen Trilogy box.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | 88985361872 |
| Format (speed) | LP 33 rpm |
| Type | 3 clear LP Limited Edition and 3 CD, 40th Anniversary Edition box |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Recorded by, Mixed by Jean-Michel Jarre Remastered by Dave Dadwater Mastering from the original analog tapes |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | EU |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2016 |
Ed 6: Cassette ref : MTO 40-77000 cb 481 — Reissue 1983
Presentation
This is the cassette reissue in 1983.
| Label | Les Disques Motors |
| Reference | MTO 40-77000 cb 481 |
| Format (speed) | Cassette |
| Type | Cassette stereo |
| Master | Analog |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 1983 |
Ed 7: CD ref : FDM CD-77000 — 1983
Presentation
This is the first CD release of the album Oxygene.
| Label | Disques Dreyfus |
| Reference | MTO 40-77000 cb 481 |
| Format (speed) | CD |
| Type | PCM 16 bits 44.1 kHz |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 1983 |
Ed 8: CD ref : FDM 36140-2– Remastered 2007
Presentation
This is the remastered CD released in 2007.
| Label | Disques Dreyfus |
| Reference | FDM 36140-2 |
| Format (speed) | CD |
| Type | PCM 16 bits 44.1 kHz, box of 3 CD |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Remastered by Scott Hull in 24 bit 96 kHz |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2007 |
Ed 9: CD Oxygen Trilogy ref : 88985361872 — remastered 2016
Presentation
This is the CD from the Oxygen Trilogy Box.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | 88985361872 |
| Format (speed) | CD |
| Type | 3 CD 16 bits 44.1 kHz and 3 clear LP Limited Edition, 40th Anniversary Edition Box |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Recorded by, Mixed by Jean-Michel Jarre Remastered by Dave Dadwater Mastering from the original analog tapes |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | EU |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2016 |
Ed 10: Streaming Qobuz
Presentation
This is the streaming Qobuz in 24 bits 48 kHz.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | Qobuz Hi-Rez |
| Format (speed) | Streaming |
| Type | PCM 24 bits 48 kHz |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production |
Ed 11: Streaming Qobuz Oxygen Trilogy
Presentation
This is the streaming Qobuz of the Oxygen Trilogy presented in 24 bits 48 kHz.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | Qobuz Hi-Rez |
| Format (speed) | Streaming |
| Type | PCM 24 bits 48 kHz, 40th Anniversary Edition |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Recorded by, Mixed by Jean-Michel Jarre Remastered by Dave Dadwater Mastering from the original analog tapes |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | EU |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2016 |
Ed 12: Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) stereo 2007
Presentation
This is the stereo track of the DVD new record of Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room).The DVD includes the 3D video and also 2 pairs of glasses.
| Label | EMI |
| Reference | |
| Format (speed) | DVD |
| Type | PCM 16 bits 48 kHz stereo |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | re-recorded and mixed in High Definition 24 bits/96KHZ |
| Original recording | Digital |
| State | France |
| Year original | 2007 |
| Year production | 2007 |
Ed 13: Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) 5.1 2007
Presentation
This is the Dolby Digital 5.1 track of the DVD new record of Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room)
| Label | EMI |
| Reference | |
| Format (speed) | DVD |
| Type | 5.1 in Dolby Digital |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | re-recorded and mixed in High Definition 24 bits/96KHZ |
| Original recording | Digital |
| State | France |
| Year original | 2007 |
| Year production | 2007 |
Ed 14: Streaming Tidal
Presentation
This is the streaming Tidal in 24 bits 48 kHz encoded in MQA.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | Tidal Master |
| Format (speed) | Streaming |
| Type | MQA 24 bits 48 kHz decoded in 24 bits 96 kHz by Audirvana |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | France |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2016 |
Ed 15: Streaming Tidal Oxygen Trilogy
Presentation
This is the streaming Tidal of the Oxygen Trilogy presented in 24 bits 48 kHz encoded in MQA.
| Label | Sony Music |
| Reference | Tidal Master |
| Format (speed) | Streaming |
| Type | MQA 24 bits 48 kHz decoded in 24 bits 96 kHz by Audirvana |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Recorded by, Mixed by Jean-Michel Jarre Remastered by Dave Dadwater Mastering from the original analog tapes |
| Original recording | Analog |
| State | EU |
| Year original | 1976 |
| Year production | 2016 |
Part 2 : Waveform and dynamic comparaisons
Waveform
The waveform represents tracks of the album.
The graphs below represent the waveforms of the vinyl versions (Ed1, Ed2 and Ed3) and CD 1983 (Ed7) .
All four versions are dynamic without having a sound level limiting effect.
The graphs below represent the waveforms of the vinyl versions blue and Trilogy (Ed4, Ed5), cassette and CD 2007 (Ed8) .
This four versions are dynamic but less than the vinyl versions (Ed1, Ed2 and Ed3) and CD 1983 (Ed7), without hard sound level limiting effect, but a limitation of the peaks, especially for the blue vinyl and the cassette.
The 3 digital versions of the Trilogy (Ed9 CD, Ed11 Qobuz and Ed15 Tidal), are less dynamic, with an effect of dynamic compression on the sound levels (yellow zone), which is confirmed in the DR measurement with a DR9 value for these 3 versions.
The 2 streaming versions of the original Oxygen (Ed10 Qobuz and Ed14 Tidal) below are more compressed in dynamic with the presence of flat limiting level without peaks. It is surprising because the original CD is dynamic.
The DVD Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) stereo is slightly compressed in dynamics as shown by the reduction of peak on certain zone.
The DVD Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) 5.1 is more dynamics the the stereo sound track of the DVD.
The graphic below shows the CD Original, the CD or Streaming Trilogy and the streaming Original version adjusted with se same sound level. The dynamic compression increases as the DR value decreases. We then observe that the waveform is flatter and flatter with less peaks. A mastering has been done for the original version distributed in streaming (Qobuz or Tidal).
Dynamic
Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).
For our 15 editions we have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :
| Ed1: Vinyl 1976 | Ed2: MFSL 1994 | Ed3: Vinyl Japan 1976 | Ed4 : Vinyl Blue 2018 | Ed5 :Vinyl Trilogy | Ed6 : k7 1983 | Ed7 : CD 1983 | Ed8 : CD 2007 | Ed9 : CD Trilogy | Ed10 : Qobuz | Ed11 : Qobuz Trilogy | Ed12 : Oxygen 3D Stereo | Ed13 : Oxygen 3D 5.1 | Ed14 : Tidal | Ed15 : Tidal trilogy | |
| GLOBAL | DR11 | DR10 | DR12 | DR10 | DR12 | DR7 | DR12 | DR9 | DR9 | DR6 | DR9 | DR9 | DR11 | DR6 | DR10 |
| Min | DR10 | DR10 | DR10 | DR8 | DR11 | DR6 | DR10 | DR9 | DR8 | DR5 | DR8 | DR8 | DR11 | DR5 | DR8 |
| Max | DR12 | DR11 | DR12 | DR11 | DR13 | DR8 | DR12 | DR10 | DR11 | DR7 | DR11 | DR11 | DR11 | DR7 | DR11 |
| Oxygène (Part I) | DR12 | DR10 | DR12 | DR10 | DR11 | DR7 | DR12 | DR10 | DR10 | DR7 | DR10 | DR9 | DR11 | DR7 | DR10 |
| Oxygène (Part II) | DR11 | DR10 | DR11 | DR8 | DR11 | DR8 | DR12 | DR10 | DR8 | DR5 | DR8 | DR8 | DR11 | DR6 | DR9 |
| Oxygène (Part III) | DR10 | DR10 | DR10 | DR9 | DR11 | DR8 | DR10 | DR9 | DR8 | DR6 | DR8 | DR8 | DR11 | DR6 | DR8 |
| Oxygène (Part IV) | DR11 | DR10 | DR12 | DR8 | DR12 | DR6 | DR12 | DR9 | DR8 | DR5 | DR8 | DR9 | DR11 | DR5 | DR9 |
| Oxygène (Part V) | DR12 | DR11 | DR12 | DR11 | DR12 | DR8 | DR12 | DR9 | DR10 | DR6 | DR10 | DR10 | DR11 | DR7 | DR11 |
| Oxygène (Part VI) | DR11 | DR11 | DR12 | DR10 | DR13 | DR7 | DR11 | DR9 | DR11 | DR6 | DR11 | DR11 | DR11 | DR6 | DR11 |
We can classify in 3 main categories, the original versions in vinyl or in CD which have a DR higher or equal to DR10. The Trilogy version which has a DR9 for the digital editions and a little more for the vinyl. And finally, the original version in streaming (Qobuz and Tidal) which underwent a strong compression of the dynamics with a DR6.
As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.
Part 3 : spectrum comparisons
Spectrum
The Spectrum allows to check the tonal balance of the music (balance between treble, medium and bass sounds) and to detect process that may have been carried out during the recording, the mixing, mastering or manufacturing phases. It is also possible to detect frequency interference issues.
The curve represents the average frequency distribution over the sample “Oxygène (Part II)”.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed3 Vinyl Japan (White) and Ed1 Vinyl 1976 (Blue). The two curves overlap up to 10 kHz. Beyond that, the Japanese vinyl is a few dB higher above 15 kHz (yellow arrow). The white arrow shows a noise peak on the Japanese vinyl version.
The interesting features on this curve Ed4 Vinyl Blue (White) vs Ed1 Vinyl 1976 (Blue) are the following:
- A very strong similarity of the two curves.
- A little more treble for the blue vinyl version (yellow arrow)
- A little more bass for the blue vinyl version (green arrow)
The difference in the bass and treble may bring more presence and precision to the listening for the blue vinyl.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed2 Vinyl Mofi (White) vs Ed1 Vinyl 1976 (Blue). The two curves overlap from 150 Hz up to 5 kHz. Above 5 kHz, the treble level increases on the MOFI vinyl up to 10 dB at 20 kHz (yellow arrow), below 100 Hz, the MOFI vinyl has more bass (green arrow) with 2 to 3 dB more. The red arrow shows the noise peak.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed5 Vinyl Trilogy (White) vs Ed1 Vinyl 1976 (Blue). The differences of the vinyl of the trilogy are an increase of the bass below 600 Hz with a maximum of 6 dB (green zone), an attenuation of the midrange of 3 to 4 dB (yellow arrow), and an accentuation of the treble until more than 6 dB between 7 Hz and 18 kHz. These three points will strongly change the rendering and the sound balance of the album.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed5 Vinyl Trilogy (White) vs Ed9 CD Trilogy (Blue). The two curves overlap up to 22 kHz which shows the use of masters with a common reference. The CD version cuts off at 22 kHz due to the 44.1 kHz sampling rate of the CD.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed6 Cassette (White) vs Ed7 CD 1983 (Blue).
We find a similar curve between the two versions with some differences for the cassette:
– A rise of the bass above 500 Hz up to 7 dB (purple zone)
– A rise of the highs of some dB above 4kHz (yellow zone)
– A limitation of the bandwidth in the high frequencies above 16 kHz (green arrow)
These differences give a warmer sound to the cassette.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed8 CD 2007 (White) vs Ed7 CD 1983 (Blue). The 2007 CD has more extreme bass (yellow arrow) and a few dB of treble attenuation above 8 kHz. This change will bring more presence in the lower end of the sound spectrum.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed9 CD Trilogy (White) vs Ed7 CD 1983 (Blue). The trilogy CD version has a slight attenuation in the upper bass and midrange (yellow arrow) and a greater attenuation in the treble (closer to the vinyl edition) (yellow area)
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed11 Qobuz Trilogy (White) vs Ed10 Qobuz (Blue). The Qobuz Trilogy version has a significant bass boost of 6 dB (green zone) and a midrange attenuation (yellow zone). The yellow arrow shows a cut-off at 20 kHz of the Qobuz Original version instead of 22 kHz.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed9 CD Trilogy (White) vs Ed11 Qobuz Trilogy (Blue). No surprise, the superposition of the 2 curves indicate the use of the same master, which will be confirmed by the other measurements.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed15 Tidal Trilogy (White) vs Ed11 Qobuz Trilogy (Blue). No surprise, the superposition of the 2 curves up to 24 kHz indicate the use of the same master, which will be confirmed by the other measurements. But, the decoding of the MQA imposed in 96 kHz brings noise due to spectrum folding, find more details on this problem here.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed14 Tidal (White) vs Ed10 Qobuz (Blue). The superposition of the 2 curves up to 24 kHz indicate the use of the same master, which will be confirmed by the other measurements. But, the decoding of the MQA imposed in 96 kHz brings noise due to spectrum folding, find more details on this problem here.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed12 Oxygen 3D stereo (White) vs Ed10 Qobuz (Blue). The differences between the two versions are too significant to compare them. The listening shows that we have 2 different recordings.
The graph below represents the frequency response of Ed13 Oxygen 3D with 5.1 channels. The yellow arrows show the front channels, which are higher in sound level than the back channels (red arrow) especially in the high frequencies. The green arrow shows the LFE channel which is filtered below 120 Hz.
Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons
Spectrogram
Spectrogram is another representation of frequency versus time of a track. For each channel (right and left), horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The amplitude is represented by the intensity (brightness) of the color of each point in the image.
The spectrogram of the vinyl 1976 (Ed1), Vinyl MFSL (Ed2) and Vinyl from Japan (Ed3) have a smoother continuity above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) than the other vinyl versions. This confirms the spectrum analysis and the use of an analog master. The white arrow shows the signal rising above 20khz and also the distortion due to the playback of the vinyl. The black arrow shows a small frequency peak present on all the tracks.
The spectrogram of the vinyl Blue (Ed4 ) and Vinyl Trilogy (Ed5) show a difference for the passage above 20 kHz (yellow arrow). The white arrow shows the signal rising above 20khz and also the distortion due to the playback of the vinyl. The black arrow shows a small frequency peak present on all the tracks on vinyl Blue.
The spectrogram of the cassette (Ed6 ) it shows that the high cutoff is below 20 kHz (yellow arrow) and especially a presence of background noise above (white arrow)
The digital versions below (CDs and Qobuz) show the frequency limit at 22 kHz or 24 kHz (yellow arrow) due to the sampling frequency, and no signal above (white arrow)
The 2 digital versions Tidal below show the frequency limit at 24 kHz (yellow arrow) due to the sampling frequency, and noise above (white arrow) due to the decoding of the MQA imposed in 96 kHz brings noise due to spectrum folding, find more details on this problem here.
The DVD Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) in stereo and 5.1 (Ed12 and Ed13) show the frequency limit at 24 kHz (yellow arrow) due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency of DVD, and no signal above (white arrow).
Part 5 : Spatialization
Spatialization allows you to define the distribution of the sound of the music on the different channels. The spatialization indicator and the description of the graph are described here.
We have a distribution of the music on all 5 channels. The use of the central channel favors the front scene a little more, but we find a good level in the surround which allows to give a good immersion in the music.
Spatialization : ●●●oo (3.1)
Part 6 : Summary, scoring and Samples
Ed 1 : Vinyl ref : 2344 068 — 1976
This original pressing brings a warmer rendering of the album than the digital versions, with less precision and details in the high frequencies, but with a more immersive rendering. We find a nice width and depth of the sound image in the track Oxygen (Part VI).
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5/5)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.0/5)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:
Ed 2 : Vinyl MFSL ref : MFSL 1-212 — 1994
The pressing is very clean with more clarity in the high frequencies than the original pressing. The counterpart of this definition is a rendering with less depth of the sound image on the noise of the waves compared to the vinyl 1976 for the track Oxygen (Part VI).
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (3/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5/5)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.0/5)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:
Ed3 : Vinyl Japan ref : MPF 1098 — 1976
The pressing is very clean, this version is very close to the original vinyl, with just a little more precision in the high frequencies, but keeps the same sound image rendering on Oxygen (Part VI).
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5/5)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.5/5)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:
Ed4 : Vinyl Blue ref : LC 10879 88843024681 — 2018
This vinyl has been remastered, it brings a little more detail in the highs and a little more bass. During the comparison of the title Oxygen (Part VI), it is the vinyl which gave one of the best rendering in spatial term, with a very beautiful width and especially a very beautiful depth of the music which plunges us in the sound of the waves. But, it remains a little less precise in the bass on other passage as the title Oxygen (Part II) for example.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (3/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4.5/5)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.0/5)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (3.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:
Ed5: Vinyl Oxygen Trilogy ref : 88985361872 — remastered 2016
The vinyl of the Trilogy version presents a different sound balance, with a lot of details in the high frequencies compared to the other vinyls and a more present bass. However, this increase in high frequencies has an impact on the rendering of the sound image, which is less wide and less deep than the other vinyls, especially on the passage of Oxygen (Part VI).
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.0/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:
Ed6: Cassette ref : MTO 40-77000 cb 481 — Reissue 1983
The cassette is less precise with heavier bass than the other versions, which gives a very warm sound. It also loses depth on the sound image. Unfortunately, the quality of this tape is not very good, it has been damaged by being played.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●ooo (2/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Surface noise: ●●ooo (2/5)
- Restitution: ●oooo (1.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 96 kHz:
Ed7: CD ref : FDM CD-77000 — 1983
With the 1983 CD, we find the digital sound, precise with very detailed highs, almost too detailed. The bass is clean. That gives a different rendering compared to the original vinyl. The sound image remains close to the original vinyl version.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 16bits 44.1 kHz:
Ed8: CD ref : FDM 36140-2– Remastered 2007
The CD 2007 brings a different balance than the CD 1983 with less extreme highs, and basses a little more present and less precise. On the passage of Oxygène (Part VI), we lose in sound space compared to the CD of 1983.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3.0/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:
Ed9: CD Oxygen Trilogy ref : 88985361872 — remastered 2016
As for the vinyl of the trilogy, we find the same sound balance, with more precise highs, but as the vinyl we lose in term of sound image in particular on the passage of Oxygen (Part VI).
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:
Ed10: Streaming Qobuz
It is a flatter version, with less relief. This is very perceptible when listening on a loudspeaker, where the sound lacks dynamics, life, sound space. If the cassette had not been damaged, it would have done better in terms of music restitution.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●oooo (1/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●oooo (1.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 48 kHz:
Ed11: Streaming Qobuz Oxygen Trilogy
We find for this streaming version of the Trilogy a sound similar to the CD version of the Trilogy, with a sound balance highlighting the bass and treble, but which loses in spatialization of sound.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24 bits 48 kHz:
Ed12: Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) stereo 2007
We find the same album but with a new recording and a different interpretation. It differs from the original version. So it is not directly comparable, the interest of this version is to have the video in 3D. The DVD comes with 2 pairs of glasses!
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24bits 48 kHz:
Ed13: Oxygene (Live In Your Living Room) 5.1 2007
We find the same album but with a new recording and a different interpretation. The interest of this version is the use of 5.1 which allows to have a spatial rendering of the album. But maybe a Dolby Atmos mix of the original version will be proposed one day.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 5.1 Dolby Digital decoded:
Ed14: Streaming Tidal
The Tidal version is similar to the Qobuz version. It is a version to ignore because of its lack of life, it is better to listen to the Trilogy version of Tidal.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●oooo (1/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●oooo (1.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24bits 96 kHz:
Ed15: Streaming Tidal Oxygen Trilogy
The Tidal version is similar to the Qobuz version, but the sound is a bit softer in the highs, certainly due to the MQA decoding in 96 kHz. This rendering can be different depending on the DAC used.
- Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●oo (2.5/5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
- Sample : “Oxygène (Part II)” 24bits 96 kHz:
As you have just read, each version has its own personality. Let’s start with the simplest, if you listen in streaming, it is the Trilogy version that will give the best result compared to the original version too compressed in dynamics. For the other supports, it is also a question of personal taste. For the CD, this one brings more precision and details, the 1983 version is a little less typified than the Trilogy version with a beautiful sound image. And finally, if you want a warmer sound, the vinyl brings a softer rendering in the highs, with a plus for the sound image of the blue version followed by the original versions compared to the Trilogy version. If you want a 3D experience, the DVD with 5.1 sound and the anaglyph 3D glasses will immerse you in another atmosphere, with the vintage look of the anaglyph glasses.
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Detail of the ratings :
- Dynamic :
- Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
- Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
- Correct piece DR >=10
- No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
- No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
- Spectrum :
- Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
- Spectrum cut at 15 khz
- Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
- Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
- Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
- Surface noise (only for vinyl):
- Continuous audible noise
- Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
- Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
- Low surface noise, very good quality
- Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
- Spatialization :
- Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
- Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
- For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
- Restitution :
- Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
- Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
- Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
- High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
- Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.
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