Best Stereo Test Record?
- Thread starter mccalljd
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flavio81
Turntable technician
I often use the following
Michael Jackson - Dangerous, track "Remember the time" in general to evaluate a system, just because I know it by heart. It also has good, deep real-world bass.
same record - tracks "Heal the world" and "Keep the faith" to check for intermodulation distortion (i.e. tracing distortion): It has choral parts that are loud and very well recorded.
Michael Jackson- Thriller - Thriller - it's a relatively loud track at the end of the record so it's good to see how the turntable performs at the inner grooves.
I use other records too, but those are really well recorded, well mastered and enjoyable. Bruce Swedien (recording engineer) did an outstanding job!
You need to be more specific.
Are you asking about a regular music album or a record specically designed to test your system?
Many "test records" don't require special equipment.
Do you want to check alignment, tracking ability, etc. or just overall sound quality?
Are you asking about a regular music album or a record specically designed to test your system?
Many "test records" don't require special equipment.
Do you want to check alignment, tracking ability, etc. or just overall sound quality?
patient_ot
Super Member
If you don't have gear to measure the results a real test record is a waste of time. If you want an audiophile toy record, there are many such things available. Not necessary though and mostly a waste of money.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
The Shure Era IV LP has tests aimed at the ordinary (no test gear) user.
There are any number of sellers' on Discogs that will gladly sell you a copy.
Thumper
Well-Known Member
Agree 100%. I have the same record. No test gear needed (just use your ears and listen) and some of the tracks are real torture tests.
Dudeman7
Well-Known Member
I bought the Hi-Fi News Test Record a while back. I found it to be quite helpful when setting up my turntable, particularly the tracking tests.
A couple stylii I have didn't provide recommendations for VTF and the tracking tests on that record helped me to zero in on how much force was needed to track average records.
The frequency sweep resonance test is pretty cool too. It allows you to determine the resonant frequency of your arm/cart and to verify that that frequency is not going to interfere with playback.
Other than that, most of the tracks just confirm that your speakers and cart are wired correctly.
Overall, I am glad to have it although I do agree with the others who say to use a record that you're very familiar with and dial things in according to that. I did it that way for years and I was always satisfied with the results.
A couple stylii I have didn't provide recommendations for VTF and the tracking tests on that record helped me to zero in on how much force was needed to track average records.
The frequency sweep resonance test is pretty cool too. It allows you to determine the resonant frequency of your arm/cart and to verify that that frequency is not going to interfere with playback.
Other than that, most of the tracks just confirm that your speakers and cart are wired correctly.
Overall, I am glad to have it although I do agree with the others who say to use a record that you're very familiar with and dial things in according to that. I did it that way for years and I was always satisfied with the results.
mccalljd
Well-Known Member
This is more along the lines I was thinking. I don't know how you would compare using a record you were familiar with, since you are playing something on the same turntable you have always used to listen to that record, as some suggested I do.
mccalljd
Well-Known Member
I am looking to evaluate the turntable I own and have used for the last 40 years. I would like to know how well it tracks, channel balance and a few other parameters. It's more a matter of have I done everything possible to get the best sound out of what I have.
mccalljd
Well-Known Member
I do this when evaluating other turntables, but it doesn't work to evaluate my own, since I am only familiar with it and how it currently sounds. I want to know if there is anything I need to do to it to achieve better sound.
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
I don't know why it was so hard to understand the OP's thread title. He clearly stated, "...Stereo Test Record...", not, "...Record you know very well...". And why the poo-pooing from some of you regarding technical test records? Is this akin to "Specs. mean nothing"? They are very good for evaluating the basic performance of your system BEFORE listening to "records you know very well".
For a medium which requires fairly high levels of technical development, it seems there are many who want to dump all that in the trash.
Doug
For a medium which requires fairly high levels of technical development, it seems there are many who want to dump all that in the trash.
Doug
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Depends on what you want to test. I have 4 different ones by Ortofon, the last one makes Shure Testing records rather obsolete. . I also have access to two of the Shure trackability test records. I let my Cook test record with all the frequencies sweeps and cross talk and other tests get away.
I find that not everyone makes the same clear distinction between a "test record" and a "demonstration disc." It appears you and I do.
spicer
Lunatic Member
The JBL Sessions record is good too, a two LP set, combination of test and demonstration. The Shure is very useful.
