Yes, for several years now many pop recordings have been mastered ever more closely to an almost uniformly loud level with a dynamic range much closer to zero than to the more than ample range which CDs permit. Fortunately High Fidelity is alive and well in most of the classical realm and several of the CDs which I have actually drew bitter complaints from reviewers that the loud/soft factor was "uncomfortable" for them.


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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.