dynamic range -the good and bad?


so dynamic range in a given recording is limited by many factors,correct? And I have read many many threads that make dynamic range sound very ideal, correct? ok, that said, I thought I had a decent surround sys setup, marantz reciever and enegry take speakers. Assumed I had good dynamic range, and maybe I do. But I just set up my new 2 channel (extremly modest) system. Threw is some classical and now I notice something I havent before. The soft passages are queit so i turn it up and the louder passages are to loud!!! Is this normal? Guess it could be my room, the cd, or equipment but is this a common problem?
glowplug
Not unusual.

Well recorded large scale classical pieces are among the toughest for many systems to reproduce accurately.
That is the nature of classical - its like that in a concert hall also. Very low followed by louder passages.
are classical recordings using the same compression these days as radiorock? The cd was from the 70's, carlos klieber on sacd playing beethovens 5th. very dynamic but scratchy IMO. Do you guys ride your volume control or let it be, I let it be because I have no remote!!!!!!!!!!
Use of compression will vary from recording to recording. In general, more extreme use of compression is more common in rock/pop CD recordings.

If you have not been to a live symphonic concert recently, go to one if you can as a reference. It can be an ear opening experience.

Very old recordings newly mastered to CD should not sound "scratchy" under good operating conditions. Many actually sound very good, often better than ever, when properly mastered to CD.

well by scratchy i was thinking the classical disc had a hiss to it on some tracks, scratchy to me really would be some of the horn work on kind of blue!!!!!