I got to wondering what others listen for or what makes a recording sound good to them. On another post the discussion of lack of dynamic range in current recordings prompted this. Especially when Norah Jones Come Away With Me was stated as one of those recordings lacking dynamic range and extreme high recording levels.

I found the Norah Jones recording to sound good to me. And I questioned myself as to how important is dynamic range. Dynamic range to my understanding is the difference between the quietest sound and loudest sound on a recording. I intend to listen to Norah again with dynamics in mind. What struck me as good about this recording and what I listen for is space between the instruments, good use of the soundstage. I don't like it when everything is crammed into the center of the soundstage. I also listen for good frequency response and do the instruments and vocals sound natural. I want realism.

For me there aren't very many recordings that fit my impression of how a soundstage should be. On one hand I don't want everything layered in the center of the sweet spot but on the other hand if the drums sweep across the whole soundstage or a piano goes from one speaker to the other, I mean no piano or drum is that large, it blows the impression of realism for me. On Stevie Ray Vaughn's Couldn't Stand the Weather, have you noticed that on Tin Pan Alley Stevie's guitar is above his voice on the soundstage? That really makes my imagination run wild when trying to picture this in my mind.

I think dynamic range is most noticeable on classical recordings. I will occasionally tap the volume up or down. I don't do this much on jazz or rock, unless, of course, one of my favorites would come on, then I might do more than just tap the volume. Several acoustic jazz recordings I like because they fit my bill.

So let me know:
1. What makes a good recording to you?
2. Your thoughts on importance of dynamic range?
3. Can you think of any abnormalities in a recording that struck you as odd, like my Stevie Ray Vaughn example? And would this even matter to you?

This is about what you personally enjoy or listen for, no right or wrong, like do you want strawberry or vanilla, so I'm hoping for no sparring amongst those who participate.