Here's the kind of thing I'm wrestling with: Daft Punk's Random Access Memories (chosen at random, widely available, feted as good to own on vinyl and clearly well suited to digital).
First off, I listen to it because I like it (also like rock, blues, folk, jazz, string quartets and full-blown baroque orchestras ... I just like music). I don't own this on vinyl, I had it on CD (gone now) and I now stream it on Amazon HD - sounds great.
#1
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=&album=random+access+memories
Shows a huge variation between 24 different versions
#2
https://magicvinyldigital.net/2022/...access-memories-review-lp-qobuz-tidal-amazon/
Compares 5 versions and seems to say that the 4 digital sources compared have been compressed to the detriment of the music. Vinyl has the expected higher noise and attenuated high and bass frequencies, but not the compression. (I do *not* read this as saying vinyl is better)
I'm interested in how my equipment measures. I'm interested in how my room measures. I am learning more about measuring so that I can start correcting / adjusting / EQ ing ... all this in the name of my hobby of enjoying music.
Seems like there is a gap in the measurement of the audio file that I choose to play. Why go to the effort of choosing good gear and then play any old mince (Scottish term) on it!
I understand the process of choosing vinyl; researching the mastering engineer, the pressing plant, the (subjective) opinions of others. I have no clue how do do this for digital releases, or even how to tell what version is available for streaming or download. It's a new thing to learn, and that's exciting.
Is there any appetite for a dedicated forum on this site? I'm not qualified to run it but some of you guys may be?
Disclaimer: I make no comment on the "music", that's subjective and personal and I like it that way