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Test record opinions

Test records for the trade would give us information applicable for all table setups.

I think the old CBS test records would be the best bet to find such pro use LPs.

The Shure and AT being for the trade were really only sent to dealers. I had one Ortofon record that was really a consumer record even though it had a useful resonance test track.

The current HIFI news record kind of straddles both both camps.
 
My major ones I use:

CBS Laboratories STR-101
CBS Laboratories Broadcast Test Record
NAB Broadcast Test Record
Shure Era IV Test Record (arguably the best consumer test record for non engineers)
Shure V 15 Type III Test Record
Command Stereo Checkout (another good, easy to use and understand test record for most everybody)
 
c_dk said:
Test records for the trade would give us information applicable for all table setups.

I think the old CBS test records would be the best bet to find such pro use LPs.

The Shure and AT being for the trade were really only sent to dealers. I had one Ortofon record that was really a consumer record even though it had a useful resonance test track.

The current HIFI news record kind of straddles both both camps.
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The Shure test records were sold to end users, and anybody who purchased a Shure V 15 type something often got one for free or very cheaply by mail, if they wished.
 
The Shure records I am refering to came with the dealer purchase of a CPEC and were available via co-op funds.

I can not remember the numbers, maybe the TTR-xxx series, but without a scope were pretty much worthless.
 
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ctjetta said:
Taking into account you're not in favor of test records in general, I see your point where new test records are more applicable to newer cartridges. What about all those vintage cartridges in active use? Per your argument one should use an older, period test record then?
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I have a feeling that any test record made by a cartridge manufacturer, new or old, is going to be tuned for that particular brand/line of cartridges. IMO, cartridges are cartridges, and should be evaluated on the same criteria regardless of age.
 
ctjetta said:
Taking into account you're not in favor of test records in general, I see your point where new test records are more applicable to newer cartridges. What about all those vintage cartridges in active use? Per your argument one should use an older, period test record then?
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This whole premise is patently false.
 
FluxT said:
I have a feeling that any test record made by a cartridge manufacturer, new or old, is going to be tuned for that particular brand/line of cartridges. IMO, cartridges are cartridges, and should be evaluated on the same criteria regardless of age.
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I would suggest that those cartridge manufacturers who were not interested in improving the knowledge and skill sets of the techs, the installers out in the field were much more likely to cast those positive efforts of other manufacturers as being of ill repute to hide their lack of due diligence. That and the often shabby construction of their products.
 
tnsilver said:
Does one of those $5K new carts play left channel when it should be right? Which of these test tracks isn't relevant for any cart?
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If you can't tell whats on the right or left music track your a noob, if you need some help unplug one of the channel and listen to that side alone, then do the other. Oh I forgot, while doing it repeat after me, "This is the left channel" "This is the right channel"

Then plug it in and listen to the music.
What I do find funny is the guys wth the lowest end record players are the same ones that feel things like a test record is a must. I guess they think this spinning wheels listening to test tones and balance shifts make what they have sound better. On the other end of the spectrum, you never hear anyone needing to play a test record, nor do they bother.
 
Pretty easy, honestly. No need to get all sarcastic about it! All you need to do is boost/cut certain frequencies just a bit to suit the house sound, play around with the 0dB level a little bit to maybe fudge +6/+15dB torture tracks down a bit, maybe place more rigorous tracks on the outer rims to hide IGD issues, etc. etc. All would be within the margin of error, and wouldn't arouse the suspicion of most vinyl obsessives. Might not even be intentional-not every cutter is flat, nor is every preamp.

There's also just simple marketing. I would be very surprised if the Shure test record didn't extoll the virtues of the V15 or M97 lines on the back label, and that the records weren't made to suit the V15 or M97. That's not to say that it intentionally compensates for the deficiencies of those carts, but there's definitely some advertising fluff to persuade people to buy a Shure cartridge, or compare their cartridges against a Shure.
 
4-2-7 said:
What I do find funny is the guys wth the lowest end record players are the same ones that feel things like a test record is a must.
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What's real funny is how some of us think they can nail the perfect alignment by a casual twist of the cart in the headshell, ballpark the CW position and hit the perfect VTF, slap the AS string loop on an arbitrary notch on the hanger rod then sit back and smuggly enjoy that wreck of a setup thinking anyone who uses more robust methods, that do not rely on one's golden ears, is either a noob or broke.
 
@ctjetta, depends on what the purposes are. I've a Denon record that is my reference for W&F measurements. I use this record on one of my reference 'tables to vet other W&F tracks. Different pressings of this same record can vary widely.

For square wave measurements I use the CBC CTS-310, as it's supposedly one of the only record with properly cut square waves. Some of the Shure records are interesting for tracking and distortion measurements. DIN test records are typically done well.

I've some 40 test records. They vary quite widely, though one thing I've found to be consistent is that modern test records are poorly done.
 
tnsilver said:
What's real funny is how some of us think they can nail the perfect alignment by a casual twist of the cart in the headshell, ballpark the CW position and hit the perfect VTF, slap the AS string loop on an arbitrary notch on the hanger rod then sit back and smuggly enjoy that wreck of a setup thinking anyone who uses more robust methods, that do not rely on one's golden ears, is either a noob or broke.
Click to expand...

Look, if it's not expensive enough to classify as a Velben Good, it sounds like garbage. Scientific curiosity and making the most of the things they can afford are for the birds, just throw money at the problem! And if you don't have money, just...y'know, make more!

Someone must have failed Audiofoolia 101.
 
tnsilver said:
What's real funny is how some of us think they can nail the perfect alignment by a casual twist of the cart in the headshell, ballpark the CW position and hit the perfect VTF, slap the AS string loop on an arbitrary notch on the hanger rod then sit back and smuggly enjoy that wreck of a setup
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Yeah one might need a better arm than that if they hear a problem. I don't think I need to show you anymore how my arm and cartridge tracks.

If it sounds good it's good, it's not going to get any better with a test record. As I stated before there are many other variables like every single record one plays is different. I think many try to make this look like rocket science and it's not. I can gestamate VTF bouncing a tonearm on my finger, check VTA and overhang by eye and make the table play great. Some people rather tweak with equipment and think they made it sound better.
 
4-2-7 said:
If you can't tell whats on the right or left music track your a noob, if you need some help unplug one of the channel and listen to that side alone, then do the other. Oh I forgot, while doing it repeat after me, "This is the left channel" "This is the right channel"

Then plug it in and listen to the music.
What I do find funny is the guys wth the lowest end record players are the same ones that feel things like a test record is a must. I guess they think this spinning wheels listening to test tones and balance shifts make what they have sound better. On the other end of the spectrum, you never hear anyone needing to play a test record, nor do they bother.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a lot of manual work when all I have to do is put on the test record and bam! it's done. Some people are noobs and some are snobs. If I want a test record I will buy one I certainly don't need approval from anyone other than my wife.
 
I have the Australian Hi-Fi Stereo Check-out Record, bought in the 1970's. Interesting to me at the time, but not useful with a record changer. From memory there are explanations of hifi stuff, channel checks, test tones, etc. Musical demonstration selections were recorded by a local jazz guitarist, who's guitar tone I hated (and that guitar tone still irritates me to this day). I suspect that some more recent test records are more useful.

https://www.discogs.com/No-Artist-Australian-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Check-out-Record/master/678572

R-5615368-1398066217-5274.jpeg.jpg

Note: The grey in this image is actually a brilliant white on the album cover!
 
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Official National Lampoon Stereo Test and Demonstration Record
A 1974 comedy album, tracklisting here. The content can be found on YouTube.

Well worth the listen, very funny. And even though it is a comedy album, the hifi tests are actually useful for what they are designed for.
It was followed up by a car-stereo test cassette.

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