Dream Theater ADTOE and BC&SL Vinyl Quality vs CD and should I get US or Import?

[Pockets17red]

Hey guys, I am finally starting to buy vinyl! I was hoping someone could tell me if the ADTOE Vinyl sounds better than the cd, and should I get the US or the import version (this question also for the BC&SL LP)? I have heard about the US pressing problem for SC so I don't want to buy a bad pressing. Also would like to know of any lyrical issues, other problem...

[The Fatal Tragedy]

I don't know if there are any differences between the US pressing and import pressings, but I can tell you that the vinyl versions sound better (assuming that you have a high quality turntable). In fact, vinyl pressings of nearly all current album releases sound better than the CD and Digital Download versions because they aren't mastered with the intent to compete with the loudness of today's music. Do some research on the the "Loudness War" and you'll understand the use of "compression" and why today's music sounds so much louder than songs from 20 years ago.

[TL]

I don't know if there are any differences between the US pressing and import pressings, but I can tell you that the vinyl versions sound better (assuming that you have a high quality turntable). In fact, vinyl pressings of nearly all current album releases sound better than the CD and Digital Download versions because they aren't mastered with the intent to compete with the loudness of today's music. Do some research on the the "Loudness War" and you'll understand the use of "compression" and why today's music sounds so much louder than songs from 20 years ago.

Except that not every album that gets released on CD and vinyl is mastered differently for each. Many modern vinyls just have the same mastering as the CD.

Yes, the loudness war is a problem, but honestly, a lot of bands have actually realized that and have been dialing it back on their more recent albums. Vinyl and digital both have their strengths and weaknesses, and honestly, it depends heavily on which the music in question was mastered for.