8-Track is a new compilation dedicated to Pink Floyd, focusing on their most iconic era.
Curated with care by Steven Wilson, it offers a concise selection of the band s essential tracks.
The album stands out for its smooth sequencing, designed to create a coherent listening experience.

It notably includes the full version of Pigs on the Wing (previously available on the 1977 Animals 8-track cartridge release.), a rare and highly appreciated addition for fans.
This compilation highlights timeless classics in a refreshed and thoughtfully assembled presentation.

It is available in CD, vinyl, and high-resolution streaming formats.

Is the quality of this compilation up to standard? That is what I invite you to discover.

For this review, you will find 3 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: CD – 2026
• Ed 3: Blue Vinyl Record – 2026

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 are available here

The album is composed of 8 tracks:

1. One of These Days
2. Wot’s…Uh the Deal
3. Money
4. Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Time
7. Comfortably Numb
8. Pigs on the Wing (8-Track Version)

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026

Presentation

This is the Tidal MAX presented in stereo 24 bits 192 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 version shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 96 kHz, with no signal above this frequency due to the 192 kHz sampling frequency. For the last two tracks, the maximum frequency reaches 48 kHz, indicating that the original master was digitized at a 96 kHz sampling rate.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blue Vinyl Record – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (blue curve). The two spectra overlap almost perfectly from 50 Hz to 14 kHz. Above 15 kHz, the vinyl record exhibits a rise in the high frequencies, reaching approximately +5 dB at 20 kHz (yellow area). Beyond 24 kHz, the vinyl also shows a higher noise floor (and distortion level) than the digital edition, which is entirely normal for this type of medium. The boost in frequencies above 15 kHz gives the vinyl record greater high-frequency detail.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Dark Side Of The Moon – Blu-ray stereo (blue curve). The Blu-ray version from the latest anniversary edition exhibits a level increase of 1 to 3 dB between 6 kHz and 20 kHz, resulting in a slightly brighter tonal balance.

Synthesis and listening

Steven Wilson delivers exceptionally meticulous work with this compilation, particularly through the seamless transitions between tracks that create a smooth and cohesive listening experience. One of the edition’s main highlights is undoubtedly the inclusion of the full version of Pigs on the Wing, a real bonus for Pink Floyd fans. With its dynamic sound and outstanding production quality, this compilation provides an excellent opportunity to discover, or rediscover, some of Pink Floyd’s greatest classics under optimal listening conditions in high resolution (24 bits 192 kHz).

Rating:

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

Ed 2: CD – 2026

Presentation

This is the CD with audio PCM 16 bits 44.1 kHz

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the CD – 2026 version shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz with no signal above this frequency due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency of the CD.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (blue curve).The spectrum of the CD version perfectly overlaps with that of the high-resolution Tidal MAX version up to 22 kHz, which is the frequency limit imposed by the CD’s 44.1 kHz sampling rate.

Synthesis and listening

Steven Wilson delivers exceptionally meticulous work with this compilation, particularly through the seamless transitions between tracks that create a smooth and cohesive listening experience. One of the edition’s main highlights is undoubtedly the inclusion of the full version of Pigs on the Wing, a real bonus for Pink Floyd fans. With its dynamic sound and outstanding production quality, this compilation provides an excellent opportunity to discover, or rediscover, some of Pink Floyd’s greatest classics under optimal listening conditions.

Rating:

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

Ed 3: Blue Vinyl Record – 2026

Presentation

This is the blue vinyl record with one LP at 33 1/3 rpm (ref:19584438511)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Blue Vinyl Record – 2026 shows a high range confirmed with DR13.

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

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blue Vinyl Record – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the vinyl of Dark Side Of The Moon released in 2023 for the anniversary (blue curve).The spectrum of the 8-Tracks vinyl largely overlaps with that of the 2023 anniversary edition of Dark Side of the Moon up to approximately 10 kHz. However, in the red-highlighted region, clear spectral anomalies can be observed, with a rise of around 10 dB at 14 kHz followed by a drop of nearly 30 dB extending to 17 kHz.
These irregularities are characteristic of a cutting issue that is sometimes encountered vinyls cuts produced at Bernie Grundman’s facility. By contrast, the 8-Tracks vinyl edition exhibits the spectral behavior expected from a properly executed cut.
When listening, these anomalies can result in less natural extreme high frequencies and a harsher, more aggressive presentation of certain instruments, such as guitars. In this respect, the 8-Tracks edition should serve as a benchmark for future Pink Floyd anniversary vinyl releases.

Synthesis and listening

At last, a recent Pink Floyd vinyl release that truly lives up to expectations. Unlike previous reissues, whose vinyls were cut by Bernie Grundman and exhibited a noticeable limitation in frequency reproduction above 14 kHz (see the comparison of the spectrum plots), this edition does not suffer from that flaw. The high-frequency range is reproduced more naturally and integrates much more seamlessly with the rest of the audio spectrum. Compared with the Tidal or CD digital versions, this vinyl edition offers slightly greater high-frequency detail due to a boost in frequencies above 15 kHz. As a result, this release provides an excellent opportunity to discover, or rediscover, eight of Pink Floyd s greatest classics on vinyl. The surface noise is good for a colored edition.

Rating:

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

For Pink Floyd fans, the original album versions remain unmatched. However, Steven Wilson has done a careful and high-quality job with this compilation, particularly through the inclusion of the full version of Pigs on the Wing, which is its main highlight. It offers an opportunity to discover or rediscover now-iconic tracks in excellent sound quality, regardless of format. Notably, this is the first time in many years that the vinyl cutting has been truly well executed, something that cannot be found on recent reissues of the albums, including the last anniversary editions. In this respect, the 8-Tracks edition should serve as a benchmark for future Pink Floyd anniversary vinyl releases.

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

	Tidal MAX – 2026	CD – 2026	Blue Vinyl Record – 2026
Global	DR12	DR12	DR13
Min	DR10	DR10	DR11
Max	DR14	DR14	DR15
One of These Days	DR13	DR13	DR13
Wot’s…Uh the Deal	DR13	DR13	DR13
Money	DR10	DR10	DR12
Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2	DR14	DR14	DR15
Wish You Were Here	DR12	DR12	DR13
Time	DR10	DR10	DR11
Comfortably Numb	DR12	DR12	DR13
Pigs on the Wing (8-Track Version)	DR14	DR14	DR14

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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