[Phil A]

I use it and sometimes will buy music that may not be top rated on it but it's simply the best I can get for my system at the moment.  For example, I recently go a few of the Simon & Garfunkel 24/192 downloads at HDTracks and here is an analysis of one of the albums - http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/78048

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I have experienced this as well.  When I listen to a sample track I try and compare it to a track that I know is well recorded.  If it does not come close to measuring up then I don't buy it.  I also try and go to one of my local music stores who has a system where you can pull up an artist and his albums and listen to them before buying.  I also check amazon for used versions of the CD I am buying.  You can usually find the CD for just $3-4 plus shipping.  I have never been burned going the used route as far as the condition of the CD is concerned.

One solution is to buy 1 song and down load it and see if the recording is any good before buying the CD or full down load.

[Don_S]

Thanks Phil. 

That confirmed my guess. But isn't the whole concept somewhat flawed in comparing different styles of music?  An album may not have much dynamic range but still not be compressed.  Say comparing  Patricia Barber sleepiest CD with one by Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa. Or am I missing something?

Don - does this help?  http://www.stereophile.com/content/unofficial-dynamic-range-database

[Phil A]

Thanks Phil. 

That confirmed my guess. But isn't the whole concept somewhat flawed in comparing different styles of music?  An album may not have much dynamic range but still not be compressed.  Say comparing  Patricia Barber sleepiest CD with one by Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa. Or am I missing something?

My use for it is to compare versions of the same album so that does not come into play.  For example, if you look at Patricia Barber there may be multiple sources of the same album - http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=patricia+barber&album=

I am not sure of the purpose of comparing a Bonamassa album to a Patricia Barber one?

The loudness wars are well documented - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war

To me it is a tool to help decide what version of an album to buy.

[Don_S]

My use for it is to compare versions of the same album so that does not come into play.  For example, if you look at Patricia Barber there may be multiple sources of the same album - http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=patricia+barber&album=

I am not sure of the purpose of comparing a Bonamassa album to a Patricia Barber one?

The loudness wars are well documented - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war

To me it is a tool to help decide what version of an album to buy.

I get it.  I usually do not have to make a choices between different album versions or formats. I was trying to use the tool to determine if a particular album was compressed before I purchased it. But I see that it can only be used to compare the same album with different release dates or formats.   In the PB example you used it is still pretty useless since almost every listing had an unknown source.

My music server displays the dB level for both channels of the entire track being played. A vertical line shows the progress of the playback. Some of my best sounding albums would not have a high score on the dynamic range chart because the music does not have much dynamic range. On the other hand some of the worst sounding albums I own have a great dynamic range but mostly hang in the LOUD area.

Then there is the exception.  I am currently listening to this on CD from Chesky using their Binaural recording technique.  http://www.chesky.com/artist/cc-coletti

It does not come close to showing as loud on my music server display but the dynamic range is audibly excellent and large. And that shows here (13/16/19 min/ave/max). http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=cc+coletti&album=

I did have to crank up the volume past where I normally have my preamplifier set. That does not affect my server display.  It shows the recording level, not the playback level.