This week’s new releases with a review of 4 albums:

• Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – 2024
• Imagine Dragons – LOOM – 2024
• Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – 2024
• Johnny Cash – Songwriter – 2024

This News, comprising 4 albums, introduces a new format for short reviews of albums. The short reviews are similar to the usual reviews, with all the measurements (waveform, spectrogram, Dynamic Range, spatialization) and samples in a more compact format, limited to 2 or 3 versions per album.
The new format is designed to showcase more new albums, and complements the analyses that include up to several dozen album versions.

Please let us know what you think in the comments.

Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – 2024

Six years after her last album, Anthem, and to mark her 50th birthday, singer Madeleine Peyroux releases her new 10-song album “Let’s Walk”.

Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – Ed 1: Tidal MAX Flac – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max presented in FLAC 24 bits 96 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13 (Min: DR11, Max: DR15)

The Tidal Max Flac waveform shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Max shows that the signal goes up to 48 kHz, due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

The “Let’s Walk” album offers a dynamic recording, with a beautiful soundstage and a high resolution that exploits the 96 kHz sampling frequency with a signal rising above 30 kHz. Here we find all the finesse of the lossless stereo version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : ”Let’s Walk” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR15 (Min: DR13, Max: DR16)

The waveform of the Tidal Atmos version downmixed in 7.1 shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR15.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz. This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

Synthesis and listening

The Dolby Atmos mix is a bit unusual, as it’s in 5.1.4. The other channels are not used. The album was mixed in 5.1.4 immersive audio by Elliot Scheiner and mastered by Darcy Proper. Listening to it is a pleasant surprise, despite the format used, as we find beautiful spatialization.
The song “Let’s Walk”, with movement and chorus in the surrounds, is a fine example of spatialization.
The use of the Dolby Digital Plus lossy format brings less finesse than the lossless stereo version. Fortunately, for even better spatial sound quality, this album is also available in a lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD version on immersiveaudioalbum.com (untested).

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●● (5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●ooooo (5.6)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : ”Let’s Walk” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 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.

Madeleine Peyroux’s latest album is very well crafted, both in stereo and in multichannel 5.1.4, which is also available in lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD, or in Auro3D on immersiveaudioalbum.com.

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Imagine Dragons – LOOM – 2024

Having already won three American Music Awards and a Grammy Award, Imagine Dragons are back with their 6th album, “Loom”, featuring 10 songs.

Imagine Dragons – LOOM – Ed 1: Tidal MAX Flac – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max presented in FLAC 24 bits 48 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR5 (Min: DR4, Max: DR6)

Tidal Max’s Flac waveform has a reduced dynamic range, with the use of a very important dynamic limiter, as confirmed by the DR5.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Max shows that the signal goes up to 24 kHz, due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

Unsurprisingly, this stereo version is affected by the loudness war with a DR5. You’ll have to turn to the Dolby Atmos version to rediscover the dynamics of this album (DR14)!

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Sample : ”Eyes Closed” 16 bits 48 kHz:

Imagine Dragons – LOOM – Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR14 (Min: DR12, Max: DR15)

The CD layer (from SACD) waveform shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz. This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

Synthesis and listening

The Dolby Atmos version is more dynamic than the stereo version, emphasizing detail thanks to a spatialization that makes good use of channels for music and vocals, and in particular, a very nice widening of the soundstage with the side speakers, as on “Eyes Closed”.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (7)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : ”Eyes Closed” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 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.

It’s hard to get rid of the loudness war on the stereo version of this album, so you have to turn to the Dolby Atmos version for a dynamic, immersive version of the album.

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Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – 2024

The Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne and violinist Renaud Capuçon present 13 works by Gabriel Fauré on the Deutsche Grammophon (DG) label.

Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – Ed 1: Tidal MAX Flac – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max presented in FLAC 24 bits 96 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13 (Min: DR11, Max: DR16)

The Tidal Max Flac waveform shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Max shows that the signal goes up to 48 kHz, due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

Deutsche Grammopphon offers a stereo streaming version in high 24-bit 96 kHz resolution, bringing all the dynamics and finesse of this recording to life.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : ”Masques et Bergamasques, Op. 112 – I. Ouverture” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR14 (Min: DR12, Max: DR18)

The Tidal Max shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz. This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

Synthesis and listening

The Dolby Atmos mix on this album is in line with Deutsche Grammophon productions, with a beautiful spatialization immersing us in the concert hall with a 7.1.4 mixing format. However, the use of the lossy Dolby Digital Plus format limits the finesse of the reproduction. Deutsche Grammophon should follow the example of Madeleine Peyroux’s album, which is available in lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD format for maximum quality.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●●●o (8.7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : ”Masques et Bergamasques, Op. 112 – I. Ouverture” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 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.

Beautiful work by Deutsche Grammopphon in stereo and multichannel. All that’s missing is a blu-ray audio version, or a downloadable version with Dolby Atmos in Lossless format.

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Johnny Cash – Songwriter – 2024

This album features eleven demo songs recorded by Johnny Cash in 1993.

Johnny Cash – Songwriter – Ed 1: Tidal MAX Flac – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max presented in FLAC 24 bits 48 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR8 (Min: DR7, Max: DR10)

Tidal Max’s waveform has a moderate dynamic range, with the use of important dynamic limiters, as confirmed by DR8.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Max shows that the signal goes up to 24 kHz, due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

Dynamic compression is present on this album, though less pronounced (DR8) than on the Imagine Dragon album (DR5), it remains present especially on tracks and passages with the most levels. It’s a shame that this album is affected by loudness war, and you’ll have to turn to the Dolby Atmos version to get the full dynamic range of the album.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●ooo (2)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : ”Drive On” 24 bits 48 kHz :

Johnny Cash – Songwriter – Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13 (Min: DR11, Max: DR15)

The waveform of the vinyl record shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz. This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

Synthesis and listening

Very nice Dolby Atmos mix that exploits all the channels. Nice use of the different channels for the music, and also effects like the reverb on “Hello Out There”. Vocals remain frontal and distributed over the R and L channels. The backing vocals make good use of the side speakers to widen the soundstage. At the start of “Drive On”, the sound wanders between the channels. Great use of all the channels, including the top speakers, which carry the sound of the guitar in certain passages.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●● (5)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (6.7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : ”Drive On” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 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.

Without its dynamic compression on the stereo edition, we’d have not only finesse, but also a beautiful dynamic range just waiting to be expressed. To rediscover this dynamic range, you’ll need to listen to the Dolby Atmos version, but with lossy encoding that reduces precision and finesse, but brings a beautiful spatialization.

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Dynamic Range measurements is shown below.

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Measurements

Dynamic Range comparaisons

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

	Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – Tidal MAX Flac – 2024	Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk – Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024	Imagine Dragons – LOOM – Tidal MAX Flac – 2024	Imagine Dragons – LOOM – Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024	Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – Tidal MAX Flac – 2024	Renaud Capuçon – Gabriel Fauré – Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024	Johnny Cash – Songwriter – Tidal MAX Flac – 2024	Johnny Cash – Songwriter – Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024
Global	DR13	DR15	DR5	DR14	DR13	DR14	DR8	DR13
Min	DR11	DR13	DR4	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR7	DR11
Max	DR15	DR16	DR6	DR15	DR16	DR18	DR10	DR15
Find True Love	DR13	DR15	DR5	DR15	DR15	DR18	DR8	DR12
How I Wish	DR13	DR13	DR6	DR14	DR15	DR15	DR7	DR14
Let’s Walk	DR11	DR14	DR4	DR15	DR14	DR13	DR9	DR13
Please Come On Inside	DR12	DR15	DR5	DR15	DR13	DR15	DR10	DR15
Blues for Heaven	DR13	DR13	DR6	DR12	DR14	DR14	DR8	DR15
Et Puis	DR15	DR15	DR6	DR14	DR13	DR15	DR9	DR15
Me and the Mosquito	DR11	DR15	DR6	DR14	DR13	DR14	DR9	DR12
Nothing Personal	DR13	DR16	DR5	DR13	DR11	DR12	DR8	DR13
Showman Dan	DR11	DR14	DR6	DR15	DR13	DR13	DR8	DR11
Take Care	DR12	DR15	DR6	DR14	DR11	DR12	DR9	DR13

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.

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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