Sleep Circle is a newly recorded, abridged version of Max Richter’s Sleep. Inspired by his concert performances—where he offered a 90-minute version instead of the original eight hours—the album highlights some of the most striking passages, creating a 90-minute journey into the hypnagogic state between wakefulness and sleep.
Richter explains that pieces like Dream 11, Moth-like Stars, and Non-Eternal are so poetically rich that he wanted them to be experienced in a more “traditional” way. Sleep Circle thus adopts the structure developed for his concerts, offering a different architecture from the original: a kind of distilled Sleep.

For this review, you will find 5 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025
• Ed 2: Tidal MAX – 2025
• Ed 3: (Faded) Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025
• Ed 4: (Faded) Tidal MAX – 2025
• Ed 5: Vinyl record – 2025

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.

The album is composed of 24 tracks:

1. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 1)
2. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 2)
3. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 3)
4. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 4)
5. Path 3 Whose Name Is Written On Water (Pt. 1)
6. Path 3 Whose Name Is Written On Water (Pt. 2)
7. Patterns Solo (Pt. 1)
8. Richter – Patterns Solo (Pt. 2)
9. Patterns Solo (Pt. 3)
10. Return (Pt. 1)
11. Return (Pt. 2)
12. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 5)
13. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 6)
14. Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 7)
15. Non-Eternal (Pt. 1)
16. Non-Eternal (Pt. 2)
17. Non-Eternal (Pt. 3)
18. Chorale
19. Dream 0 (Pt. 1)
20. Dream 0 (Pt. 2)
21. Dream 0 (Pt. 3)
22. Dream 0 (Pt. 4)
23. Dream 0 (Pt. 5)
24. Dream 0 (Pt. 6)

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025

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.

Below the video of the spatialization “Non-Eternal (Pt. 3)”

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the (Faded) Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Dolby Atmos track in 7.1.4 is limited to 20kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). 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. The green arrow shows the 120Hz filtering of the bass channel (LFE).

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025.
The spectrum of this Dolby Atmos version decoded in 7.1 shows that all channels are used. The LFE channel is used with a cutoff frequency of 120 Hz (green arrow). The white arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding. The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz due to encoding at the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

A wonderful surprise, this Dolby Atmos edition truly immerses the listener in the spirit and at the very heart of the music. The listening experience is one of total immersion, perfectly aligned with the intent to draw us deeply into the musical universe. The music is far from static: there are also movements of sound, as in Path 3 Whose Name Is Written On Water (Pt. 2), which blend seamlessly into the overall experience, avoiding any showiness and remaining fully consistent with the composition. We do have one regret, however: this Dolby Atmos version is not available in Dolby Digital TrueHD, which would have delivered the full finesse and precision of this lossless format.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Non-Eternal (Pt. 3) 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.

Ed 2: Tidal MAX – 2025

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max version presented in 24 bits 48 kHz (link).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the (Faded) Tidal MAX – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 48 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl record – 2025 (blue curve).Between 60 Hz and 7 kHz, the two spectra overlap almost perfectly. Below 60 Hz, the Tidal Max version shows slightly more bass (around 2 to 3 dB). Beyond 7 kHz, and especially after 10 kHz, there is a progressive decrease in signal, giving way to background noise on the vinyl edition, unlike the Tidal Max version which still retains information. At 15 kHz, the signal is attenuated by 80 dB compared to the peak below 200 Hz, which explains the absence of any real signal for the vinyl record at these frequencies. This clearly shows that the dynamic range of vinyl is significantly lower than that of a 24-bit PCM file (over 140 dB).

Synthesis and listening

A very beautiful sound reproduction that immerses us in the concert experience. The rendering is precise, with well-controlled bass that provide solid support and add a wonderful depth to the music.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : Non-Eternal (Pt. 3) 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 3: (Faded) Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).The Faded version is characterized by fade-ins and fade-outs at the beginning and end of each track, unlike Sleep Circle, where the tracks flow seamlessly into one another.

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

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10. The waveform clearly shows the fade-outs that separate the individual tracks.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Dolby Atmos track in 7.1.4 is limited to 20kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). 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. The green arrow shows the 120Hz filtering of the bass channel (LFE).

The graph below represents the spectrum of the (Faded) Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025.
The spectrum of this Dolby Atmos version decoded in 7.1 shows that all channels are used. The LFE channel is used with a cutoff frequency of 120 Hz (green arrow). The white arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding. The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz due to encoding at the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

This edition is identical to the Tidal Dolby Atmos version, but with fade-ins and fade-outs at the beginning and end of each track. The waveform clearly shows the fade-outs that separate the individual tracks.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Non-Eternal (Pt. 3) 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.

Ed 4: (Faded) Tidal MAX – 2025

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max version presented in 24 bits 48 kHz (link). The Faded version is characterized by fade-ins and fade-outs at the beginning and end of each track, unlike Sleep Circle, where the tracks flow seamlessly into one another.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10. The waveform clearly shows the fade-outs that separate the individual tracks.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 48 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the (Faded) Tidal MAX – 2025 (blue curve).The two curves align perfectly across the entire spectrum, which is to be expected since they correspond to the same version of the album, with the only difference being that one of them includes simple fade-ins and fade-outs on each track.

Synthesis and listening

This edition is identical to the Tidal MAX version, but with fade-ins and fade-outs at the beginning and end of each track. The waveform clearly shows the fade-outs that separate the individual tracks.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : Non-Eternal (Pt. 3) 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 5: Vinyl record – 2025

Presentation

This vinyl edition containing 3 x 180 g LPs and a four-panel paper insert containing photos and notes about Max Richter and this album (ref : 028948672172).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Vinyl record – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal above this frequency (white arrow) containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record’s operating principle.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl record – 2025 (blue curve).Between 60 Hz and 7 kHz, the two spectra overlap almost perfectly. Below 60 Hz, the Tidal Max version shows slightly more bass (around 2 to 3 dB). Beyond 7 kHz, and especially after 10 kHz, there is a progressive decrease in signal, giving way to background noise on the vinyl edition, unlike the Tidal Max version which still retains information. At 15 kHz, the signal is attenuated by 80 dB compared to the peak below 200 Hz, which explains the absence of any real signal for the vinyl record at these frequencies. This clearly shows that the dynamic range of vinyl is significantly lower than that of a 24-bit PCM file (over 140 dB).

Synthesis and listening

Beautiful vinyl edition, with excellent pressing quality and very low surface noise. The sound reproduction is slightly less deep in the extreme low end compared to the digital version, but in return, the strings benefit from a softer tonality.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Non-Eternal (Pt. 3) 24 bits 192 kHz:

After the test of Jean-Michel Jarre’s concert, whose technical execution fell short of expectations, we discover here, in a different style, an album of great quality, carefully produced and technically accomplished, that draws us into the world of Sleep Circle. The digital stereo version stands out with precise reproduction, fine detail, and well-controlled low frequencies. As for the Dolby Atmos version, it provides total immersion at the heart of the album. It is a pity, however, that a Dolby Digital TrueHD edition is not available, as it would likely have deserved the highest rating.

Dynamic Range measurements are shown below.

Subscribe to MagicVinylDigital

If you like this review, please subscribe. You’ll receive information on new articles directly in your inbox.

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

	Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025	Tidal MAX – 2025	(Faded) Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025	(Faded) Tidal MAX – 2025	Vinyl record – 2025
Global	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Min	DR8	DR8	DR7	DR8	DR9
Max	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR12
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 1)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 2)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 3)	DR10	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR10
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 4)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR11
Path 3 Whose Name Is Written On Water (Pt. 1)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR10
Path 3 Whose Name Is Written On Water (Pt. 2)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9
Patterns Solo (Pt. 1)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9
Richter – Patterns Solo (Pt. 2)	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR9
Patterns Solo (Pt. 3)	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR9
Return (Pt. 1)	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR10
Return (Pt. 2)	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR10	DR10
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 5)	DR11	DR10	DR11	DR10	DR11
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 6)	DR11	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR11
Dream 11 Moth-Like Stars (Pt. 7)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Non-Eternal (Pt. 1)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Non-Eternal (Pt. 2)	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11
Non-Eternal (Pt. 3)	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10
Chorale	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR10
Dream 0 (Pt. 1)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9
Dream 0 (Pt. 2)	DR8	DR8	DR8	DR9	DR10
Dream 0 (Pt. 3)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR8	DR9
Dream 0 (Pt. 4)	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9
Dream 0 (Pt. 5)	DR10	DR9	DR10	DR10	DR10
Dream 0 (Pt. 6)	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR12

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.

---