Michael Jackson: Thriller (1982) Mobile Fidelity Hybrid Stereo SACD

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I know dynamic range isn't everything, but Thriller 25 is mastered too hot for me. The longer the song goes on, the more I want to turn it down. When I'm listening to the SACD, by the time the outro hits I've got it cranked.

Ideally you shouldn't have to compensate for bad mastering by adjusting the volume while the music is playing, whether by turning the volume down or turning it up. Both of those indicate that there is something wrong with the dynamics. Normalization isn't the same as dynamic range. A mix should be normalized up so the noise floor stays down well below the threshold of audibility.