I checked the Dynamic Range Database and your suspicions are exactly correct. The digital version is is compressed with minimal dynamic range and the vinyl is not. This is a prime example of the reason vinyl often sounds better even though it is a technical an inferior format.

I have a Sony TA-F707ES integrated in my office, it’s a truly unique amplifier with a ceramic “Gibraltar” base and MOSFET driver and output transistors. I absolutely love it. I’m on the lookout for a matching ES CD player but they seem hard to come by.

It’s cool to see what a huge company like Sony can come up with when they dedicate the resources to make true hifi gear.

It’s all HT gear at this point, no 2 channel.