Kirsten Edkins’ album “Shapes & Sound” was recorded for the launch of a new record label Kevin Gray’s Cohearent Records by award-winning recording engineer Kevin Gray. The album was recorded all analog / all tube in Gray’s new studio, Cohearent Recording. It was released on January 24, 2023 on the Cohearent Records label. So this is a recent recording made on legendary equipment, with the famous Studer C37, a purely analog tape recorder with twenty valves, offering excellent bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio.

This C37 tape recorder was used for recording. For the mastering recorder, a hybrid model is used with A80 transport and C37 electronics. You can find out more about tape recorders in this report on DES studios. Available only on vinyl at the beginning of the year, since the end of August it has been available for streaming and purchase in high-resolution format.

For this review, you will find 3 versions tested: vinyl AAA (pure analogue), Amazon Music and Qobuz Download.

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.
The synthesis of the review and the samples are available here

The album is composed of 8 tracks:

1. Party Slug
2. Bird Shapes
3. Dedicated to You
4. The Goose
5. Sweet Pickles
6. Wuhoo
7. Proprietary Minor
8. Hula Hoop

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 5 : Summary, scoring and Sample

Part 1: presentation of the editions

Ed 1: Vinyl – 2023

Presentation

This is a pure analog AAA vinyl, with no digital processing whatsoever, from recording to cutting. It’s a 180g LP pressed at RTI. It’s presented as a Deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket. The reference is CR-AV-2201

Ed 2: Amazon UltraHD- 2023

Presentation

The Amazon version is presented in 24-bit 44.1 kHz.

Ed 3: Qobuz Hi-Res Download – 2023

Presentation

Qobuz offers the album for purchase in a Hi-Res 24-bit 176.4 kHz version, to take full advantage of the high resolution of this album in digital format.

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamic comparaisons

Waveform

The waveform represents tracks of this album.

The vinyl and digital releases waveforms below are highly dynamic, as shown by the wide variation in sound levels on the curves. This is confirmed by the DR measurements, DR14 for vinyl and DR15 for Amazon and Qobuz.

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 3 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Vinyl – 2023	Amazon UltraHD- 2023	Qobuz Hi-Res Download – 2023
Global	DR14	DR15	DR15
Min	DR13	DR14	DR14
Max	DR15	DR16	DR16
Party Slug	DR14	DR15	DR15
Bird Shapes	DR14	DR14	DR14
Dedicated to You	DR14	DR14	DR14
The Goose	DR15	DR15	DR15
Sweet Pickles	DR15	DR16	DR16
Wuhoo	DR15	DR15	DR15
Proprietary Minor	DR14	DR15	DR15
Hula Hoop	DR13	DR14	DR14

Very fine work on this album, that respects the dynamics of the music, using DR14/DR15 for both the vinyl and digital versions.

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 graph below compares the spectrum of the vinyl (white curve) with the spectrum of Amazon’s streaming stereo version (blue curve). The curves are very similar up to 5 kHz, and beyond this frequency (yellow zone), there’s an increase in treble reaching 10 dB more for vinyl at 20 kHz. There’s also a rise between 20 and 25 kHz for vinyl. There’s also a small difference in level below 300 Hz of 1 or 2 dB (green zone). The yellow arrow indicates the maximum Amazon frequency at 22 kHz, due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency. The graphs of the two spectra are slightly offset horizontally. This is due to a difference in speed between the vinyl and digital versions of less than 1% (measured at 1 kHz). Having doubted the result, I rechecked the playback speed of the vinyl turntable and redid the measurement, all correct. The difference is there, but it’s minimal.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Qobuz 24-bit 176.4 kHz version (white curve) with the spectrum of the Amazon 24-bit 44.1 kHz stereo streaming version (blue curve). The two curves overlap perfectly up to 22 kHz, which is the maximum frequency of the Amazon version (yellow arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used. The signal from the Qobuz version (white curve) continues beyond 22 kHz, attenuating up to 45 kHz. Kevin Gray tells me that the tape has been digitized in PCM on a Tascam 3000. The rise in high-frequency noise is not due to DSD digitization and has no impact on the listening experience.

Kevin Gray points out that he didn’t do any signal processing for this album: “in this case there wasn’t any, but I do have equalizers, a compressor and a HF limiter in my valve mastering console, but chose not to use them for this project.”

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 vinyl spectrogram below shows that the frequencies of the audio signal rise above 25 kHz (yellow arrow). The signal above 25kHz (white arrow) is due to part of the musical signal and to distortion caused by the vinyl playback principle.

The spectrogram of the digital version is limited in frequency to 22kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). This limitation is due to the 44.1kHz sampling frequency used for streaming of this album.

The spectrogram of the Qobuz digital version rises in frequency above 22 kHz (yellow arrow). The white arrow shows an attenuation of the signal at 40 kHz, with a rise in noise beyond with no impact on listening.

Part 5 : Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Vinyl – 2023

The vinyl version, faithful to the sound traditions of yesteryear, proves to be an authentic marvel for music lovers. Like its digital counterparts, it fully preserves the dynamics of the original recording, offering unparalleled sonic immersion. The pressing of this vinyl was carried out with impeccable attention to detail, resulting in a significant reduction in surface noise. Entirely analog, this record will undoubtedly delight purists and vinyl enthusiasts alike.

The listening experience is simply spellbinding. It exudes a naturalness, a liveliness, a presence that seems somewhat eclipsed in digital editions. I urge you to delve into the available extracts to perceive this distinctive nuance for yourself. The sonorities emanating from this vinyl are warmer, creating an almost tangible sonic spatiality that seems to stretch out before the listener.

This result is the fruit of a harmonious collaboration between Kirsten Edkins and the renowned Kevin Gray. The latter, thanks to his technical mastery, has succeeded in recreating an entirely analog studio, doing justice to the purity and depth of every note.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●● (5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Restitution: ●●●●● (5)

Sample : ”Party Slug” in 88.2 kHz:

Ed 2: Amazon UltraHD- 2023

The Amazon version (like the Qobuz version) retains the dynamics of the original recording. The rendering is similar to the Qobuz version, which is in high resolution at 176.4 kHz. Depending on your DAC converters, this version may appear less soft in the treble than the Qobuz version.

Rating:

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

Sample : ”Party Slug” in 44.1 kHz:

Ed 3: Qobuz Hi-Res Download – 2023

Available in High Resolution for purchase, the Qobuz version allows you to benefit from the 24-bit 176.4 kHz format, as opposed to the 24-bit 44.1 kHz streaming format on Amazon Music (but also Apple Music…).
This version preserves the dynamics of the original master on tape. This dynamic range can be found on all media.
But this version is closest to the master tape, with all the nuances and finesse of the saxophone attacks.
The soundstage is more open and transparent than the vinyl version, which provides additional presence but with a slightly softer, yet still precise sound.
So there are two different personalities between the vinyl and the Qobuz High Resolution versions, allowing everyone to find the version that best suits their system and tastes.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●● (5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : ”Party Slug” in 88.2 kHz:

Thanks to Kirsten Edkins and Kevin Gray for this magnificent album that immerses us in music with a stunning sound quality. The work done on this album is exemplary, using a purely analog studio that harnesses tube equipment and features impressive tape machines like the Studer C37.
The high-quality vinyl offers an experience with its natural sound reproduction and a true presence of the musicians right before you. This sense of presence is truly tangible, as you can experience by listening to the samples.
The Qobuz digital version in high resolution is technically the closest representation to the original analog master tape. It presents a splendid sonic display, full of nuance and dynamism. However, it slightly falls short in terms of the physical presence evoked by the vinyl version.
Both versions have been masterfully executed, ensuring that listeners can choose the one that resonates most with their personal preferences and audio systems.

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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)
• 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 :
  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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