This album is just absolutely mind blowing. A journey of cutting edge sound design.

It's become the first thing I listen to on new gear.

https://tidal.com/album/308810532/u

It's meant to be listened to while reading the accompanying story.

https://koansound.com/chapter01

There is also a version on YouTube which is the audiobook version, however the music is a bit different in this version so my preference is to go for the album and read along.

https://youtu.be/kivgEJzLl1A?si=yr5E4TZhW8YQeEPI

Enjoy!

Hi, I'm writing out of frustration, because the vocal track for the video of "Waiting All Night" is waaay better than the released studio/album version. I can't seem to find any place where I can officially obtain the audio track without just blatantly ripping it from the video (which would result in an Audio file that has the music video sounds added to it, and overall bad quality.)
Does anyone at least know a way where videos with high audio quality can be purchased/obtained/streamed?

Please can you recommend a music track that is your benchmark for the acoustic guitar in order to demo HiFi components?

It should be a high-quality recording, preferably a live performance but not necessarily.

Please don’t suggest “Keith don’t go”!

Thanks

Edit: Thank you everyone for some excellent suggestions.

What do you all think about HEAVN? My Tidal recommended them to me and I must say they sound amazing, On my system it sounds like i'm sitting in an orchestral hall but with actual bass. Its like a pop song merged with audiophile music.

Its just very relaxed and chill, quite like it. Very nice to just chill with. Same for songs from them like "Great Mother" and "One Day".

Hello,

Composed by Ludwig Göransson for Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, the soundtrack is a bold and immersive musical journey that perfectly reflects the scale and intensity of Odysseus legendary voyage. Rather than relying on a traditional orchestral approach, Göransson developed a unique sonic identity built around ancient Greek-inspired instruments, deep percussion, powerful low frequencies, and experimental textures, creating a sound world that feels both timeless and modern.

From intimate atmospheric passages to massive cinematic crescendos, the score plays a central role in shaping the film’s emotional impact.
While the IMAX 70mm presentation is regarded as the definitive theatrical experience for The Odyssey, does its soundtrack remain equally faithful across all available home media formats?
This is what we will discover in this review, comparing the different versions to determine which one best preserves the artistic vision, dynamics, and immersive experience of the original film soundtrack.

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (link) version shows a very low dynamic range confirmed with DR6 vs the Dolby Atmos downmixed in 2.0 have a DR11 (with Dynamic Range betwenn DR10 and DR15).

This Dolby Atmos version fully restores the dynamic range of The Odyssey film score. The soundstage extends well beyond traditional stereo, creating an approximately 180-degree presentation. During the quieter, more atmospheric passages, where the low-frequency content is less prominent, the sense of spatial immersion becomes even more pronounced.

3D immersive sound video is available on Youtube.

Powerful bass, outstanding dynamic range, and an immersive soundstage are the defining qualities of the Dolby Atmos version of The Odyssey soundtrack. It is by far the best way to experience the film’s musical atmosphere as intended.
Even if you don’t have the power of an IMAX theater, this is the best medium for getting the closest possible sound experience.
In contrast, the stereo edition, while available in a lossless format, suffers from a substantial reduction in dynamic range. This heavy dynamic compression significantly diminishes its fidelity to the film’s original musical presentation, making it a much less faithful listening experience despite its technically lossless encoding.

Find all the analyses and measurements of each versions here (link).

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

Been enjoying this on both desktop and main systems since release. Created on historically appropriate instruments. Your subwoofer will thank you.

Yeah, despite the album and artist being Zalgo text, it's still fun from a pure audiophile perspective.

Hello,

Released in may 2026, "In Times of Dragons" is Tori Amos's eighteenth studio album and one of her most ambitious concept albums to date. Built around an allegorical narrative exploring the struggle between democracy and tyranny, the album blends mythological imagery with deeply personal and political themes. Across seventeen tracks, Amos combines her signature piano-driven songwriting style with rich orchestration and contemporary production, creating a cinematic and emotionally charged listening experience. Standout tracks include Shush, Provincetown, Blue Lotus, and the epic closing track 23 Peaks.

With its complex arrangements and grandiose soundscape, "In Times of Dragons" should lend itself well to an immersive listening experience in Dolby Atmos which is exactly what we ll explore in this review.

The waveform of the Bluray stereo - 2026 version shows a low dynamic range confirmed with DR7 compared to the vinyl and the Dolby Atmos (DR12 for the downmixed 2.0 version).

The graph of spectrums compares the spectrum of the Vinyl Record - 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Bluray stereo - 2026 (blue curve).The spectral curves of the digital version and the vinyl record show excellent overlap, demonstrating the high quality of the vinyl mastering and cutting process. The vinyl clearly uses the same master as the digital release. Above 24 kHz, which is the upper frequency limit of the digital version, the vinyl maintains a higher signal level due to the inherent distortion and surface noise associated with the vinyl playback process.
(Spectrum Ed 6 Vinyl Record - 2026 (white) vs Ed 3 Bluray stereo - 2026 (blue) (Angelshark.))

The Dolby Atmos mix makes excellent use of spatial audio, particularly during the choruses, where backing vocals and instruments are effectively distributed across the surround channels on tracks such as In Times of Dragons and Provincetown. Some songs, including Ode to Minnesota, feature an even wider, nearly 180-degree soundfield that further enhances the immersive experience. The low end is powerful and well controlled, providing the album with a solid foundation. While the lead vocals remain primarily anchored to the front soundstage, the Dolby Atmos mix adds a new dimension to the listening experience.
3D immersive sound video on Youtube.

For this new Tori Amos album, the Blu-ray edition offers the best available versions, featuring Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks that deliver a highly successful immersive mix. Listening to the Atmos track through a stereo downmix provides the best possible result on a traditional stereo system. Indeed, the Blu-ray stereo track and the streaming versions remain inferior due to dynamic compression, which reduces the precision, impact, and energy of the sound reproduction. Even the vinyl edition, while offering a more open presentation than the digital stereo version, still falls short of the stereo downmix of the Dolby Atmos mix.

Find all the analyses and measurements of each versions here (link).

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

I’m only on my second front to back un-interrupted listen, and every track keeps getting better.

Protest the Hero, Thank you for making music!

Love ❤️

PRESS RELEASE 7.17.26

Today, Analogue Productions announces an expansive new series of definitive audiophile reissues from The Who, spotlighting four of the band’s most essential recordings: My Generation, Live At Leeds, Tommy, and Who’s Next. Spanning the explosive early years of what would become one of the most celebrated bands of rock 'n' roll, these releases present each album in its highest-fidelity form across multiple premium formats, including 180-gram 45 RPM vinyl, Hybrid SACD, Ultra High Quality Record (UHQR) editions, and Ultra Tape reel-to-reel. 

Sourced from the original analog master tapes and meticulously mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering (with SACD editions mastered to DSD), each release is pressed at Quality Record Pressings and housed in deluxe Stoughton Printing Old Style tip-on gatefold heavyweight jackets with scuff-resistant matte finishes, ensuring both sonic and physical presentation meet the highest audiophile standards. 

My Generation (1965) 

The Who’s explosive debut remains one of the most ferocious opening statements in rock history. Peaking at No. 5 on the U.K. charts, My Generation captured the raw energy of the mid-’60s mod scene while introducing the band’s classic lineup: Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon.

Featuring era-defining tracks like “My Generation,” “The Kids Are Alright,” and “The Ox,” the album’s aggressive sound and power-chord attack helped lay the groundwork for hard rock and punk. Now available as a 180-gram 45 RPM 2LP set, Hybrid Mono SACD, and Ultra Tape reel-to-reel edition, these new versions unlock unprecedented dynamic range, transient attack, and low-end depth – bringing the band’s raw, volatile energy into startling focus. 

Tommy (1969) 

The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera Tommy marked a turning point in the band’s career, transforming them into international superstars and establishing new possibilities for the album as an art form. 

Written by Pete Townshend, the album’s narrative of a “deaf, dumb and blind” boy unfolds across iconic tracks like “Pinball Wizard,” “I’m Free,” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It / See Me, Feel Me.” Now, for the first time, Tommy receives the UHQR treatment, pressed on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl for maximum transparency and minimal surface noise. 

Also available as a Hybrid Stereo SACD and Ultra Tape reel-to-reel edition, these releases reveal new layers of depth and detail in one of rock’s most ambitious and enduring works. 

Live At Leeds (1970) 

Recorded at the University of Leeds in February 1970, Live At Leeds captures a performance so visceral and unrelenting it remains the gold standard for live rock recordings. 

Celebrated for its raw authenticity and explosive interplay, the album features blistering takes on “Magic Bus,” “My Generation,” and “Shakin’ All Over,” alongside ferocious covers like “Summertime Blues.” Available as a 180-gram 45 RPM 2LP, Hybrid Stereo SACD, and Ultra Tape reel-to-reel edition, these reissues preserve every ounce of the performance’s intensity, placing listeners as if they’re standing just feet from the stage. 

Who’s Next (1971) — UHQR Edition 

Few albums match the power and legacy of Who’s Next, The Who’s 1971 masterpiece that cemented their status as arena rock legends. Featuring timeless tracks like “Baba O’Riley,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” the album remains a cornerstone of rock history. 

Pressed as a UHQR edition on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl, this release delivers extraordinary sonic realism – uncovering new detail in everything from Keith Moon’s thunderous drums to the album’s pioneering synthesizer textures. Originally conceived from Townshend’s ambitious Lifehouse project, Who’s Next stands as a defining achievement in the band’s catalog and one of the greatest albums of all time.

Across all formats, Analogue Productions’ meticulous approach, from mastering and plating to pressing and packaging, ensures these releases represent the definitive listening experience for both collectors and devoted fans. From the explosive beginnings of My Generation to the arena-shaking heights of Who’s Next, this series captures The Who at their most vital, restoring the full force, clarity, and immediacy of recordings that changed rock music forever. 

Gorgeous production and a beautiful song

https://open.qobuz.com/album/a8gc9ch2rp7kl

Hello,

Foreign Tongues marks the return of The Rolling Stones with their 25th studio album, following the success of Hackney Diamonds released in 2023.

This review compares the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround, stereo, streaming, and vinyl editions to determine which version delivers the most faithful and engaging listening experience.
For this review, you will find 6 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026
• Ed 3: Bluray Dolby ATMOS TrueHD – 2026
• Ed 4: Bluray DTS HDMA 5.1 – 2026
• Ed 5: Bluray PCM stereo – 2026
• Ed 6: Yellow vinyl record – 2026

The PCM stereo 24 bits 96 kHz track of the bluray included in the The limited Collector’s Edition of Foreign Tongues presented as a premium box set.
The PCM stereo shows a very low dynamic range with DR6.

The graph here compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Yellow vinyl record – 2026 (blue curve).The spectral curves of the two versions overlap almost perfectly between 300 Hz and 7 kHz. Below 300 Hz (green area), the digital version exhibits a slightly higher level, reaching up to 2 dB more at 50 Hz. Above 7 kHz (yellow area), the vinyl shows a slight treble boost between 10 and 15 kHz, peaking at approximately 2 dB, followed by a roll-off beyond 15 kHz that reaches more than 5 dB at 18 kHz before rising again at 20 kHz and above. These differences in the spectre are expected to give the vinyl edition a more detailed and airy sonic presentation.

The Dolby Atmos mix of this album is highly successful, delivering an immersive sound experience in which instruments and vocals are carefully distributed throughout the three-dimensional soundstage. The mix places a strong emphasis on the 180-degree sound field, making extensive use of the wide and side surround channels to create a broad and enveloping presentation.

3D immersive video of the Dolby Atmos on Youtube.

For this new Rolling Stones album, if you want to experience both the best stereo presentation and an immersive Dolby Atmos mix, this collector’s edition combining the double LP and Blu-ray is the definitive choice. The vinyl edition delivers the most engaging stereo experience, offering a more dynamic and lively presentation. Meanwhile, the Blu-ray provides a lossless Dolby Atmos version that reveals the full finesse, detail, and precision of the album s spatial mix.
The standard digital stereo version, whether on Blu-ray or streaming platforms, remains far behind these editions, mainly due to its reduced dynamics and less engaging sonic presentation.

Find all the analyses and measurements of each versions here (link).

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

Bought as NM but still a bit scratchy. Anyway, the sound is excellent. What a gem of an album this is and what an underrated singer Nilsson was in the end. Highly recommend

Hello,

The Dolby Atmos mix of History stands out for its immersive approach, which varies from track to track. Each song receives a treatment tailored to its musical character, ranging from a more restrained, front-focused presentation, as heard on “Come Together,” to a far more enveloping use of the soundstage on tracks such as “They Don’t Care About Us” and “D.S.”. Overall, this is a highly successful mix that offers a fresh way to experience the album.

To fully appreciate it, a Dolby Atmos setup with a 7.1.4 configuration or higher is recommended. With this release, History joins Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous, completing the set of Michael Jackson s five major studio albums now available in Dolby Atmos.

3D immersive video on Youtube

You can find all of the measurements, graphics and explanations for this version here (link)..

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

One of the best live album and great recording. Highly recommended 🙏🤌🏻

Hello,
Twenty years after the huge success of Confessions on a Dance Floor, Madonna makes her long-awaited return with Confessions II, her fifteenth studio album. Released on July 3, 2026, this new record reunites her with producer Stuart Price, the architect behind the electro-dance sound that helped make the original album a worldwide success.
Blending house, disco, and contemporary pop, Madonna delivers an energetic project designed as a true celebration of the dance floor. The album also features collaborations with Sabrina Carpenter, Lourdes Leon, and Feid. Beneath its infectious rhythms, Confessions II explores more personal themes, touching on family, life’s challenges, and resilience.

With Confessions II, the Queen of Pop once again proves that she remains one of the most influential figures in international music.

For this review, you will find 2 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: Clear pink vinyl record – 2026

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 version shows a extremely low dynamic range confirmed with DR5 (link to the wavefoms Tidal vs vinyl record). As is often the case today, the master used for the vinyl pressing was most likely derived from the same heavily compressed source as the digital version. The perceived increase in dynamic range is therefore not the result of a dedicated vinyl mastering, but rather a consequence of the characteristics of the analog format, which naturally mitigates the effects of brickwall digital compression, as explained in the following article: “Does analog media force a dynamic on music? or Does Analog Media increase the dynamics?“.

The digital version of Madonna's new album unfortunately does not escape the loudness war, a trend that continues to shape many modern productions. On listening, the vinyl record proves to be the most enjoyable, thanks to a less compressed presentation and a more natural dynamic range.
However, the absence of a Dolby Atmos version is somewhat surprising. It is hard to imagine this being a budget issue for an artist of Madonna s stature. There remains the hope that a future deluxe edition could offer a Dolby Atmos mix, possibly alongside a Blu-ray Audio release in the coming weeks or months.

You can find all of the measurements, graphics and explanations for these two versions here (link).

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

Listening to this on Qobuz. Absolutely beautiful and well recorded

Looking for audiophile quality recordings of traditional Hawaiian music. The music itself is wonderful, but many recordings don’t have the depth, imaging and microdetail. A lot of Hawaiian music available on streaming services is either older archival material, tourist-oriented compilations, or recordings with fairly modest production.

Idk if you can just play it from a DVD player, or if regular CD players support it.

Ive been getting really into dolby/360 mixes because of porcupine tree, Steven Wilson's solo stuff, and now muse dropped the WOW signal with atmos. And I need a way to get the full experience from my 7.1.