Best Audiophile Album in terms of Dynamic Range and Mastering Quality?


This seems like a good list: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/04/audiophile-albums-show-off-systems/

but most of them were released more than a decade ago. Are there really no new albums that can match them?

tippydi

I set up the cartridge on my turntable to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon UK pressing. 

OP list consists of reliable audiophile familiars that everyone has used for decades: Dark Side, Graham Parsons, etc.. Personally I incline to After The Gold Rush over Harvest, and to FM's 1975 eponymous LP over Rumours -- two glorious, colossal hit LPs overshadowed among reviewers by these artists' rabidly anticipated succeeding work. Can't Buy a Thrill would be another example. Meanwhile, Forever Changes gets "newly discovered" by every generation, while its impressive sonic virtues are rarely mentioned.

For dynamics in NEW pop recoding, my go-to is Katie Pruitt, "Expectations" -- the title cut in particular is off the charts.

Thank you to OP and others for contributing.  As noted by the author, one should seek the SACD hybrid, SACD or some remastering for best results.  The Fleetwood Mac recommendation in SACD hybrid or other versions is miles ahead of the redbook version as I'm sure others are too.  I applaud and appreciate the effort of that remastering.

Dark side of the moon a Classic .

Jazz at the pawn shop.a classic 

Hope,- Hugh Masacala a Classic 

Kind of Blue classic Great