My favorite music for testing overall quality of the audio systems is “Friday Night in San Francisco” by Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía. Unfortunately I don’t have this on vinyl, so I wonder what you can recommend for testing different types of cartridge/stylus combination? I’m a classic rock type of guy with a little bit of jazz and classical music.
Testing different stylus/cartridge combinations.
- Thread starter Wally C
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flavio81
Turntable technician
I had this album in record form, it sounded phenomenal! It was an original copy, not a reissue, and mint. I gave it away as a birthday present to a friend, Sergio, local guitar player who was actually friends with Paco De Lucia and missed him a lot. So I had to give this away to Sergio.
To test turntables, IMO, what is essential is to use music that you know perfectly. Thus you can easily find problems or assess quality.
I like using Thriller (by Michael Jackson) for testing, for example.
Last edited:
SONDEKNZ
Well-Known Member
@Wally C
Like me, it seems like you like guitar...
I picked-up this album as an affordable DISCOGS package filler, never realising what a fantastic album I was buying for peanuts.
I was half expecting a showy collection of guitar pyrotechnics, where technique and bravura hog the spotlight. What I received was a collection of wonderful acoustic guitar instrumental tracks, where melody and invention prevail and songwriting is strong.
Some of the strongest tracks include wonderful cameos by guest instrumentalists. Jon Eardley's contribution on flugelhorn cannot be overstated.
It is a wonder to me that this album never gained traction in the west. It seems that the misleading album title is its only misstep.
"Guitarissimo · Confiança" is a true acid-test for cartridge assessment! When my cartridge needs work, this music fails to engage me. Conversely, when everything is dialled-in to perfection, I can't tear myself away from it and often resort to an immediate repeat play.
Our 1980 German 1st pressing (0060·314) on the "Nature" label is flat and quiet - and killer for sonics!
Worth noting too, that whilst both guitarists were masters of their art, Siegfried Schwab was a really gifted guitar hero - with his own unique and unmistakable sonic signature - whose other work is well worth exploring.
Like me, it seems like you like guitar...
I picked-up this album as an affordable DISCOGS package filler, never realising what a fantastic album I was buying for peanuts.
I was half expecting a showy collection of guitar pyrotechnics, where technique and bravura hog the spotlight. What I received was a collection of wonderful acoustic guitar instrumental tracks, where melody and invention prevail and songwriting is strong.
Some of the strongest tracks include wonderful cameos by guest instrumentalists. Jon Eardley's contribution on flugelhorn cannot be overstated.
It is a wonder to me that this album never gained traction in the west. It seems that the misleading album title is its only misstep.
"Guitarissimo · Confiança" is a true acid-test for cartridge assessment! When my cartridge needs work, this music fails to engage me. Conversely, when everything is dialled-in to perfection, I can't tear myself away from it and often resort to an immediate repeat play.
Our 1980 German 1st pressing (0060·314) on the "Nature" label is flat and quiet - and killer for sonics!
Worth noting too, that whilst both guitarists were masters of their art, Siegfried Schwab was a really gifted guitar hero - with his own unique and unmistakable sonic signature - whose other work is well worth exploring.
There are quite a few titles you can use.
If you really want to test what the cart can do you may want to consider one of the King Laboratory titles pressed in Japan. They are usually available pretty inexpensively but shipping to the US or EU will cost you a few bucks. The King Laboratory are cut with all the compression and EQ removed from the signal chain. Very dynamic records with tons of ambient info. These titles all start with GXP prefix.
See attached phono.
Attachments
For equipment comparison purposes, with vinyl the source, I find it imperative to audition with a well known phono cartridge, plus listening to musical instruments you are very familiar with.
For my ears, I favor well miked piano and/or acoustical guitar.
The first "Hot Tuna" LP, on the orange RCA label, has some amazing lead acoustic guitar, with fast fingering bass playing. These guys were the dynamic duo of rockin' blues.
For a more acoustical jazzy flavor, The JP Rampal and Claude Bolling LPs accel for demos...imho...ymmv...
For my ears, I favor well miked piano and/or acoustical guitar.
The first "Hot Tuna" LP, on the orange RCA label, has some amazing lead acoustic guitar, with fast fingering bass playing. These guys were the dynamic duo of rockin' blues.
For a more acoustical jazzy flavor, The JP Rampal and Claude Bolling LPs accel for demos...imho...ymmv...
You just helped me realize that I can use test record made by people from McGill University in Canada. I bought it long time ago at the flea market. It is in very good condition and after ultrasonic cleaning should be a good source for my testing. I still like to get my hands on vinyl copy of “Friday Night in San Francisco”. Possibly in 45 RPM version.
