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What is your favorite goto "test" music?

OnTheBlitz

OnTheBlitz

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Hello AK'ers,

When ever I add/replace a new piece of Gear or make any tweak to my system, I have a favorite "goto" Album I use to listen and evaluate the change.


If you happen to do the same as me:
Please list Artist, Album Name, Media Type, Record Label, Record Label number and Picture of the Album cover, if possible (I grab my pics from Google images).

My "goto" is:
Artist: Special EFX
Album Name: Double Feature
Media Type: CD
Record Label: GRP
Record Label Number: GRD-9559
Album Picture:
SpecialEFX_DoubleFeature.jpg

Thanks
 
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Although I've used many different "records" for test music as I and my tastes have expanded and matured I've settled on Jacintha, Here's to Ben (Groove Note GRV1001-2) as my first selection. This is a recording that was made "direct to disc" style. It was recorded live direct to a two channel master using a minimal number of microphones and a passive mixer. The CD master was made from that un-tweaked live recording of musicians and vocalist performing together at the same time in a large room.

If you don't hear a real soundstage with this album you should look elsewhere for speakers or reconsider how your system is set up. If your gear and room/setup are good enough you can hear from her singing that Jacintha doesn't natively speak English and actually is reciting the lyrics phonetically. Regardless, I like her voice and I don't care what her mother language is.
 
I really appreciate the responses so far. If it is possible to copy and paste my format, in addition to any narrative you have, this would be great and allow to parse the info out and post it at the end (album photo optional):


My "goto" is:
Artist: Special EFX
Album Name: Double Feature
Media Type: CD
Record Label: GRP
Record Label Number: GRD-9559
Album Picture:
index.php

Thanks.
 
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Artist: Lyle Lovett
Album Name: Pontiac
Media Type: CD
Record Label: MCA
Record Label Number: MCAD-42028
R-1971601-1255887275.jpeg.jpg

Track 1. If I had A Boat is what I use for evaluation. A very well recorded album.
 
There are a couple of Telarc and Sheffield LP's I use when checking out turntables. For Digital again some Telarc and Reference recording CD's. But I have one nasty home made CD of live recordings I made of live groups and Steam engines 8444 and 3985 of the Union Pacific that will stress any sound system. I seldom use it however as most sales men become scared to death with 8444 rolling through their sound room. Ever get the impression a Klipschorn woofer just hit the stops. I use to use Mercury's 1812 with the West point Cannons, but that's old hat with the Telarc recording. I have Original Masters Lp's of 4 different steam engines, that will move floors and walls ,too. A Buddy Rich recording of the band live in San Francisco. works well, Big Pipe organ by E Power Biggs can be a real challenge . I also like a track of flamenco guitar and Concert Stringed harp. Specific instruments like bassoon, piano, clarinet family, harpsicord, and percussion can be a great test. For imaging give me a Single stereo mic recording from Sheffield; that will guarantee, no tricks with mixers and other processing equipment.
 
- Norah Jones, Come Away With Me really does a nice job of testing any inconsistencies in the high end. Her voice and piano can grate if the EQ isn't just right. Forced me to do some much needed room treatments here, and now I got her licking my ears late nite ... <sigh>

- Dire Straights, Brothers In Arms (the anniversary edition). A really outstanding master with clarity and impact that will push any system to it's limits.

- Porcupine Tree, Lightbulb Sun (SACD). What can I say ... this music builds a wall of sound that can make most amps wimper and cry for their mommies. The drums and bass line are THE definition of definition ... if your system can track those, yer all good.

- Enoch Light, Hits of the 40's and 50's. This is just a killer display of the very best in mastering and production. The dude didn't like the end product with any other company, so he started his own - No corners cut. Instrument placement is consistent, and I find his stuff excellent for speaker positioning and getting the stage fine tuned. Not to mention it's just toe tappin' music.
 
Anything by Steely Dan is a good test.

Kind of Blue is usually the first album played with any changes to the system.

Willie Nelson "Teatro" is also a great test album - got to thank my brother to turning me on to that one.
 
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For testing purposes it seems I am always prioritizing convenience, so I look online.
I am generally looking to make sure I have not screwed something up before moving on to the next step.
So I simply connect a laptop to AUX and connect a set of bookshelf speakers.

I like Eva Cassidy's online performances for their simplicity and large dynamic range.
I have heard them many times,so the distortion from compression in them doesn't bother me.
I know how these should sound on my test speakers.

Here are a few that I use :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqbW5xW2IoY&list=RD9UVjjcOUJLE&index=18
 
4-2-7 said:
I'll used a wide variety of music because that's what I listen to. I like audiophile pressing mastered superbly with vocals, percussions, piano, hard bass tracks.
Click to expand...
Sweet looking Tube Mac in your Avitar! Is that yours? What model #. Thanks.
 
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