Your observations are on track with mine. In my experience, DMM typically fails to provide the best reproduction of which vinyl is capable. It is rare to find a DMM issue that also was issued via lacquer mastering. I have only found two recordings I could compare directly, but the DMM has failed to match the lacquer mastered version each time - quieter yes, but not as dynamic or harmonically natural. All of this said, I still regularly buy DMM mastered classical music recordings on the BIS and Hyperion labels and enjoy them immensely for the music and recording quality.
Direct Metal Mastering DMM LP's
What is the opinion of other vinylphiles of DMM pressings. These seem to have been made in the early 80's and are, as near as I can tell, just prior to digital remastered vinyl (which sounds like a CD to me). They soulnd very quiet and clean to me but somehow slightly less analog than non-DMM pressings, but then I am a new re-entrant to the vinyl realm and still getting a feel for the sounds of various pressings and labels etc.
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