Radiohead read on

It’s actually not the recording that’s louder. The recording is not the issue. It’s the CD format that’s compressed and made louder. That’s why they call it the Loudness Wars. As I said you can make the level higher and still not risk blowing up someone’s boombox or Walkman since the peaks have been compressed, as well as valleys obviously. Everyone’s happy, teeny boppers can play their music loud, the record companies are making money and the only ones who are unhappy are people like me who can’t stand overly compressed music. As I also said, that means I won’t listen to some of Dylan’s greatest CDs,,like Modern Times or Stones like A Bigger Bang and Bridges to Babylon, or Radiohead. Except Pablo Honey. If I can get them on cassette I can manage to get by.  But that's a big IF.

Sure what goes into the cd release can be what's compressed versus original masters I'm sure in many cases.  

Some may have waveforms clipped as well at some stage.  Dr measurements alone do not tell you that but not uncommon at least in many modern pop releases I'm sure.

You guys almost make me want to dig out my old DBX 119 expansion/compression unit and put it into the system (assuming it still works).

New Radiohead album reported to be coming out this year!!

Tost I have a dbx 3BX sitting idle in my storage room. Its a lovely classic and fun piece. Maybe I’ll hook it back up again someday but have not felt the urge.   It's from my aforementioned obsessed with DR period.