Sailing to Philadelphia, released in 2000, is Mark Knopfler’s second solo album following the end of Dire Straits. Combining narrative songwriting with folk, blues, and country influences, it features notable collaborations with James Taylor, Van Morrison, and Glenn Tilbrook. The album achieved both critical and commercial success, reaching the Top 5 in Europe.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, a special edition was released, including a Dolby Atmos mix, an instrumental version, and a 2LP transparent vinyl.
So, what about this 25th-anniversary edition on Blu-ray and vinyl?
That’s what we are going to explore now.

For this review, you will find 6 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2025
• Ed 2: Blu-ray Stereo – 2025
• Ed 3: CD (HDCD) – 2000
• Ed 4: Clear vinyl record – 2025
• Ed 5: Tidal – 2025
• Ed 6: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 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 14 tracks:

1. What It Is
2. Sailing To Philadelphia
3. Who’s Your Baby Now
4. Baloney Again
5. The Last Laugh
6. Do America
7. Silvertown Blues
8. El Macho
9. Prairie Wedding
10. Wanderlust
11. Speedway At Nazareth
12. Junkie Doll
13. Sands Of Nevada
14. One More Matinee

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2025

Presentation

The audio track tested here is the Dolby Atmos version from the SDE Surround Series Blu-ray Pure Audio edition. The blu-ray contents 3 tracks : 2000 mix in Stereo, 2025 Dolby atmos mix and 2025 Dolby Atmos Intrumental Mix(ref: 602478364426).

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

Below is the analysis of the spatialization in 9.1.6:

Below the video spatialization for the track Sailing To Philadelphia:

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2025 shows a high range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Atmos in 7.1.4 version of blu-ray shows that the signal goes down to 24 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used with Dolby Digital TrueHD encoding (lossless). The green arrow shows the 120Hz filtering of the bass channel (LFE).

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2025.
The spectrum of the Dolby Atmos version of Tidal in 7.1 shows that the front channels are more used compared to the other channels, followed by the side and rear channels. The LFE channel ilimited to 120 Hz and it is often used. The white arrow indicates the high frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding.

Synthesis and listening

The Dolby Atmos version delivers 180-degree spatialization, extending the frontal soundstage to the lateral channels, creating a wider and deeper scene in music reproduction. Compared to the stereo version, it not only adds this spatial dimension but also enhances dynamics, bringing out subtle micro-details during playback. As for the stereo downmix, it offers a high-quality rendering, more dynamic and with more detailed highs than the stereo version available on the different formats.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●oooo (6.2)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 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.

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia Dolby Atmos (Downmixed 2.0) :

Ed 2: Blu-ray Stereo – 2025

Presentation

The audio track tested here is the stereo version from the SDE Surround Series Blu-ray Pure Audio edition. The blu-ray contents 3 tracks : 2000 mix in Stereo, 2025 Dolby atmos mix and 2025 Dolby Atmos Intrumental Mix(ref: 602478364426).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Blu-ray Stereo – 2025 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 24 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD (HDCD) – 2000 (blue curve).The two curves overlap perfectly up to 6 kHz. Beyond this frequency (yellow area), the CD shows a level that is 1 to 2 dB higher.

Synthesis and listening

The original stereo version delivers satisfactory dynamics despite being limited to a DR10, which affects certain tracks, yet still provides a well-balanced overall sound. However, its dynamic range remains lower than that of the new Dolby Atmos mix.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 24 bits 48 kHz:

Ed 3: CD (HDCD) – 2000

Presentation

This the CD HDCD released in 2000 (ref: 731454298124)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the CD – 2000 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10. The test was carried out with HDCD decoding enabled; without this decoding, the dynamic range is DR8.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD (HDCD) – 2000 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal – 2025 (blue curve).The two spectral curves match perfectly.

Synthesis and listening

The original CD version delivers satisfactory dynamics despite being limited to a DR10 (with HDCD decoded), which affects certain tracks, yet still provides a well-balanced overall sound. However, its dynamic range remains lower than that of the new Dolby Atmos mix.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia HDCD Decoded 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 4: Clear vinyl record – 2025

Presentation

This is the vinyl record with 2 clear LP at 33.33 rpm (ref: 602478364242)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Clear 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 Clear vinyl record – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo – 2025 (blue curve).The two curves align almost perfectly up to 10 kHz. Beyond this (yellow area), the vinyl record’s level rises, reaching nearly 10 dB higher at 20 kHz.

Synthesis and listening

The vinyl record is derived from the stereo digital master, as confirmed by DR measurements and waveform analysis. It delivers a slightly clearer and more precise high-frequency range, thanks to a lift in the treble above 10 kHz, while providing a very natural and pleasing vocal reproduction. The pressing quality is good.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 24 bits 192 kHz:

Ed 5: Tidal – 2025

Presentation

This is the Tidal version presented in 16 bits 44.1 kHz (link).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

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

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo – 2025 (blue curve).The two curves overlap perfectly up to 6 kHz. Beyond this frequency (yellow area), the Tidal shows a level that is 1 to 2 dB higher.

Synthesis and listening

The sound reproduction is comparable to that of the CD version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 6: 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.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025 shows a high range confirmed with DR13.

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 Tidal s 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

No surprises with this Tidal Dolby Atmos version: encoded in lossy Dolby Digital Plus, it struggles to match the Dolby TrueHD version, which delivers much finer reproduction and superior spatial precision.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●oooo (6)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Sample : Sailing To Philadelphia 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.

For this 25th anniversary edition, it is the Blu-ray and in particular the Dolby Atmos track (even in stereo downmix) that delivers the most dynamic and detailed sound. SDE deserves praise for offering Blu-ray editions that include Dolby Atmos TrueHD, the original stereo track, as well as an instrumental version in Dolby Atmos. As for the vinyl edition, it is a very fine release based on the stereo master. However, it could have been even better if it had been produced from the 2025 remix using the tracks for Dolby Atmos, which provides a more dynamic reproduction.

Dynamic Range measurements are 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 6 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2025	Blu-ray Stereo – 2025	CD (HDCD) – 2000	Clear vinyl record – 2025	Tidal – 2025	Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2025
Global	DR13	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR13
Min	DR11	DR7	DR7	DR8	DR7	DR12
Max	DR15	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR15
What It Is	DR13	DR9	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR13
Sailing To Philadelphia	DR13	DR9	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR13
Who’s Your Baby Now	DR13	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR13
Baloney Again	DR14	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR14
The Last Laugh	DR11	DR11	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12
Do America	DR13	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR13
Silvertown Blues	DR13	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR13
El Macho	DR14	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR14
Prairie Wedding	DR13	DR10	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR13
Wanderlust	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12
Speedway At Nazareth	DR14	DR7	DR7	DR8	DR7	DR13
Junkie Doll	DR15	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR9	DR15
Sands Of Nevada	DR12	DR11	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR13
One More Matinee	DR12	DR10	DR10	DR10	DR10	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.

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