There seems to be the usual confusing mix up in opinions about preferences vs. etc.
Tubes are natural compressors, and a lot of the best compressors are tubed, and were used quite a bit on the older vinyl masters.
One might ask, how many systems can actually play a true, uncompressed recording with full dynamic range i.e. zero to 120db? Such a system would have to be able to lucidly delineate the smallest whisper from the corner of the sound stage all the way up to the full crescendos without anything sounding unnatural or out of place, or leading one to go fiddling with the volume knob as the playback is in progress. Those are rare systems. Most audiophiles might not like completely uncompressed music because they wouldn't like the glaring differences between the soft playback and the loud playback. If you change the volume during a playback, you are basically asking for more rather than less compression in the recording, practicing volume limiting etc.
Also, with different microphones, some parts of a recording might be more compressed than others i.e. vocals, and also de-essers can be used. A lot of this is usual and customary mastering chicanery to squeeze things into a listenable mixdown.
Some of my most dynamic vinyl recordings are GRP label, digitally mastered, and sound excellent. I would never state, however, that the POTENTIAL for dynamic range in vinyl is greater than the POTENTIAL for dynamic range in digital. How the cooks deal with the recipe is a different matter.
Tubes are natural compressors, and a lot of the best compressors are tubed, and were used quite a bit on the older vinyl masters.
One might ask, how many systems can actually play a true, uncompressed recording with full dynamic range i.e. zero to 120db? Such a system would have to be able to lucidly delineate the smallest whisper from the corner of the sound stage all the way up to the full crescendos without anything sounding unnatural or out of place, or leading one to go fiddling with the volume knob as the playback is in progress. Those are rare systems. Most audiophiles might not like completely uncompressed music because they wouldn't like the glaring differences between the soft playback and the loud playback. If you change the volume during a playback, you are basically asking for more rather than less compression in the recording, practicing volume limiting etc.
Also, with different microphones, some parts of a recording might be more compressed than others i.e. vocals, and also de-essers can be used. A lot of this is usual and customary mastering chicanery to squeeze things into a listenable mixdown.
Some of my most dynamic vinyl recordings are GRP label, digitally mastered, and sound excellent. I would never state, however, that the POTENTIAL for dynamic range in vinyl is greater than the POTENTIAL for dynamic range in digital. How the cooks deal with the recipe is a different matter.
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