Regarding the finding that music on CDs usually peaks very close to 0 dB, this is an operation called Normalization. The track or tracks are scanned, the absolute peak is logged and the appropriate amount of gain is applied to bring it up to the max. This can make a 16 bit CD use its maximum resolution to best effect since the music is usually recorded in 20 or 24 bit resolution. Unfortunately, fairly often excessive compression and unnatural EQ are also added in the mastering process.
Analog vs. digital segment on PBS
The show "Wired Science" on PBS this week has a good segment on analog vs. digital with a relatively quick blind panel test on analog vs. digital. I think they replay the show during the week if you can catch it. Nice to see some of the hobby getting some primetime attention, if PBS can be considered primetime of course! They have a couple recording engineers speaking about the merits of each and a blind listening test between a recording group (whose music they use for the test) and some unbiased recording engineers.
Also some info on frozen brains... either way it's a great show for general technology every week.
Also some info on frozen brains... either way it's a great show for general technology every week.