Distortion in some recordings - on purpose, bad DAC, or just bad recording engineers?

[PHD]

I've noticed that on a few recordings, occasionally, I can hear clear distortion. Here is an example at 1:10, you can hear the classic guitar note is highly distorted:

Is this done deliberately? Is this an example of inter-sample distortion and bad DAC implementation?

At first, I thought that it was my Denon X4800H, but then I discovered that I can hear it on any other platform. I even ordered the LP from Amazon to check if it happens in an analog source.

I have many more examples, which I'll link here later. If this was a bad recording take, then why not take another one and fix it? So, I suspect it is an inter-sample distortion.

I'd appreciate some experts' opinions.

 

[somebodyelse]

'Video not available' - did it get taken down for copyright?'

 

[danadam]

'Video not available' - did it get taken down for copyright?'

Calexico - Glowing Heart of the World

I don't know, to me it sounds like he played it like that on purpose.

 

[DVDdoug]

Not every recording/production is perfect...

If it was rock or pop I would assume it's "intentional"... An "acceptable" side effect of the loudness war.

With classical guitar I'd say poor production. It could happen anywhere along the way in the production process and it could be a compromise for loudness even if they aren't trying to win the loudness war.

I suspect it is an inter-sample distortion.

I'm don't think you can hear inter-sample overs under normal conditions. As far as I know, I've never heard one. Of course there is no information between the digital samples so if you get clipping from an inter-sample over you can blame the DAC. And if you have a software volume control (like on a computer) you can turn down the volume by 1 or 2 dB to prevent it.

 

[JustJones]

Sounds like the guitar vibrating to me. Sometimes it's intended like on Nilsson's "Jump into the Fire" where Herbie Flowers detuned the Bass.