Totally busted non-Atmos releases (SACD / Vinyl / Hi-Res downloads + streaming options got the same master)

Every single non-Atmos release of this particular album turned out to be such a joke, what a shame and a half

https://magicvinyldigital.net/2024/01/27/norah-jones-visions-first-single-running-2024-review-test-tidal-max-flac-amazon-dolby-atmos/

Quote

For this review, you will find 2 versions tested: Tidal MAX Flac and Amazon Dolby Atmos.

The waveform of Tidal Max Flac clearly shows the use of a dynamic limiter, as confirmed by the dynamic range measurement with a DR5, compared to the Dolby Atmos 2.0 version with a DR14.

https://magicvinyldigital.net/2024/03/16/norah-jones-visions-album-review-test-tidal-max-flac-amazon-dolby-atmos-vinyl-record-color-vinyl-record-japanese-sacd/

For those of us with 2-channel or headphone rigs, the only "acceptable solution" for a similar situation like this should be ripping the lossy Atmos version somewhere. After that, we're gonna get things done with Dolby Reference Player and Music Media Helper.

No decent lossless releases at the moment, while they might not consider releasing the TrueHD Atmos version anywhere else.

On 7/19/2024 at 8:55 AM, seeteeyou said:

The waveform of Tidal Max Flac clearly shows the use of a dynamic limiter, as confirmed by the dynamic range measurement with a DR5, compared to the Dolby Atmos 2.0 version with a DR14.

I do not see anything worrying from recording or mastering perspective in these waveform graphs. A limiter has been used to limit some dynamic spikes in order to achieve a higher average level but there is no sign for applying audible compression which would be associated with a loudness war.

There is no sense in comparing 2.0 or Atmos waveforms or DR calculations. It does not say anything about perceived dynamics as Atmos can potentially contain much more reverb on various channels which technically reduces or increases dynamic range but does not sound compressed or limited. 

I find it amazing how people stare at these graphs and DR calculations as if the sound of a mastering version can be judged by a single number. It cannot.