When CDs were introduced, I anticipated that music (style and production ) would become more dynamic to take advantage of the wider dynamic range...
the majority of early rock/pop CD are consistently more dynamic than the remasters. The same can be said for LP. Sadly, near every remastered LP i have purchased in the last 10 yrs includes additional compression when compared to the orig LP/CD, often by a considerably margin.
the vinyl cutting and playback process (including the RIAA recording & playback EQ) changes the wave shape and introduces phase shifts. That affects the way the peaks line-up making some peaks higher and some peaks lower. A similar thing happens when you make an MP3. That doesn't affect the sound of the dynamics, but if you measure the crest factor (peak to average ratio) the vinyl will "measure" more dynamic than the CD (made from the same master) because of the new higher-peaks. A lot of people are fooled into thinking the vinyl has wider dynamic range because of those measurements. And, blind listening isn't that helpful because you can always tell the vinyl (from the noise).
Well, i often tell visitors that i redesigned or tweeked my analog rig to measure as close to the best digital 16/44 ver. as possible. The majority of vinylheads cringe at that very statement, until they go quiet after hearing the rip ...
the above statement concerning >DR on vinyl has not been my experience, and I've been ripping, comparing, measuring & graphing rips for over 2 decades. Peaks often line up perfectly, AS THEY SHOULD!
Now, don't get me wrong, vinyl has many MANY issues. But, without any reservation, vinyl done right (rarer than u may imagine regardless of $) shows little dynamic compression when compared to the same mastering on CD or tape.
In fact, if very high DR values (>15) in my tt system often register slightly lower (~0.5bB) in comparison. That said, i have measured countless rips that measured incorrectly, plus or minus.
It's just a matter of taste. Dark Side Of The Moon seems dynamic (compared to most rock recordings) but I don't think it's as dynamic as classical or jazz... I do enjoy the dynamics of some rock recordings... I like to hear the drums & cymbals "pop out" instead if being mushed with the rest of the music.
even the best DSOTM ver.measures dynamically average at best, even compared within PF extensive catalog of LP,CD,Hrez recordings.
I don't find myself adjusting the volume control in the car with Pink Floyd ...
Compressed music is perfect for noisy environments, but IMO has no place within a top grade stereo system.
As far as Led Zep is concerned, i have gone on an extended search for the best DR & subjectively pleasurable recordings. All are measured in comparison, both in terms of freq.response and compression. In fact, over the weekend i finally had a chance to compared the infamous "RL" (esp side 2) copy of LZ2 to the other originals, and CDs. It really is difficult (but not impossible) to find higher DR LZ recordings on digital, most are either compressed loudness, or the peaks are cut/limited. Even the early LP remasters were significantly more dynamic than many page/marino remasters, those IMO r best suited andthe boat, car or jack-hammer environments.