Hmm. I had a listen on a cheap CD Boom Box, and the problem wasn't as pronounced. Maybe it does have something to do with different DACs...

Still, I think I noticed something else. It was like the cymbal sounds were getting "interrupted" by the other instruments. For instance, when the vocal hits a partcular bit of sibilance at the right moment, that's when the cymbals seemed to crackle and modulate a little bit. I wonder if I'm hearing a limitation of the original mixing equipment, or perhaps a problem with transient response with my headphones/speakers/amplifiers?

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Tony Fabris