Albums to test your Hi-fi system

[amcluesent]

Cantate Domino in 24/88.2 (if you have a decent music streamer, obviously!) https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=HD7391959177626

 

[Inter_Voice]

Cantate Domino in 24/88.2 (if you have a decent music streamer, obviously!) https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=HD7391959177626

I also got this one in SACD format. If your system is good enough you can "see" the size of the church. The sound of the organs and the chorus are fantastic. One of the best recorded albums.

 

[tyranniux42]

how good is good enough IV? :-D suppose what im asking is what is your system hehe

 

[Inter_Voice]

how good is good enough IV? :-D suppose what im asking is what is your system hehe

I will not say my system is VERY good/expensive or high end but to me the combination is already good enough to staisfy me .

See this link please:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64195350@N03/

 

[tyranniux42]

loving the room

wish I could get away with all the foam as I would have something similar! Still havent figured out your kit though other than by deduction that you have an Oppo player, a masterclock and a PSU for the masterclock.... care to fill in the rest?

:cheers:

 

[Inter_Voice]

loving the room

wish I could get away with all the foam as I would have something similar! Still havent figured out your kit though other than by deduction that you have an Oppo player, a masterclock and a PSU for the masterclock.... care to fill in the rest?

:cheers:

Actually in the link I have posted a number of photos. Under each photo I have provided some text and you can see them if you click the photos with your mouse ( like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/64195350@N03/6486507277/in/photostream/ )

In gist I have my OPPO 83 Nuforce Edition (also modded the master clock, opamps and decoupling caps) as main player both for video and audio.

The amp. is Leema Tucana II

Speaker is Spendor SA-1 coupled with MJ Acoustic Pro 50 MKII subwoofer.

Chord interconnects, speaker cables and power cords

PS Audio, Pure AV line filters (I have checked the noise level after the filters and it is absolutely noiseless all the day long having checked by Pure AV noise sniffer like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-PureAV-Power-Sniffer-Detector/dp/B00361FY2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323637870&sr=8-1)

 

[DandyCobalt]

For sheer bottom end, I recommend Sheffield Labs "Kodo, Heartbeat Drummers of Japan " http://www.sheffieldlab.com/sheffield.pl?category=world

Also available via Spotify

 

[BigH]

I know what you're getting at, but I like to "test" my HiFi with average, poor and fantastic recordings.

Sample:

1) Blood Lust - Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats

Poor recording. Great album.

2) Desire - Bob Dylan

Average recording.

3) Gaucho - Steely Dan

Fantastic

I think Gaucho is SD worst album both in terms of music and recording. Try Aja instead.

 

[BigH]

I think this has some good recomendations

http://www.tnt-audio.com/topics/testrecords.html

Re: Sara K. I prefer her Waterfall and Hobo albums.

 

[up the music]

I mostly use the same stuff that I used around the time I first decided my Ferguson music centre had to go way back in the 80's. Some of this stuff is well recorded, others not. The thing is that I've developed a deep familiarity with these albums over a whole range of systems over decades.
I've acquired newer albums since then which would work too.
Manufacturer and a few super quality recordings are fine for discovering the outer limits of your systems capability and can be a revelation and I'd use a few but mostly stick to what is more representative of normal listening.

 

[camcroft]

Theme from shaft - Isaac Hayes

 

[manicm]

To test if a system captures mood and atmosphere I would use something like Roxy Music's Avalon or Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. For dynamics maybe something like The Wall.

But when I'm on the hunt for new equipment/auditioning the first thing I take is David Bowie's Scary Monsters And Super Creeps - David's vocal lisps in combination with the sharp production will either make or break the treble in a system. This disc always seperates the men from the boys in high-frequency reproduction. And NAD's poor old C521i CD player did not cut the mustard I'm afraid - and this is my proof that speakers are not always the most important link in the chain.

 

[BigH]

I have a variety of tracks I use, some to test parts of the system, others I just like listening to. Test ones inc. Rumours F Mac, cymbals canbe a problem on the first half of the album. LAst Record Album Little Feat - bass guitar will sort out some speakers. Trick of the Tail - Genesis, 1st and 3rd tracks, so much bass and sharp cymbals, sound bright as well. Female vocals, plenty to choose from Mary Black - No Frontiers, well recorded acoustic intruments, Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Alley, Kirsty MacCall - Kite and Jewel - Spirit. Male vocals - Damien Rice - O, Johnny Cash - One. Jazz - Shelley Manne at the Blackhawk Vol 2, great live jazz, should be there, there is some double bass on track 2 that can trip some systems up. Bill Evans - Walst for Debbie, again great live jazz but just trio, should plenty of space around the intruments. Collin Walcott - Cloud Dance, prob. best recorded album I have , typical ECM recording, track 2 with double bass and tablas is excellent, play it loud. Celtic - Capercaillie To The Moon, can sound bright, Altan - Harvest Storm.

My problem is I don't like playing the same tracks over and over again.

 

[k77stan]

Adrenaline Mob - 'Omerta' will kick your backside..literally :rockout:

 

[the record spot]

Too many to mention, but the latest from the Dead Can Dance is surely worth adding to the list. Great recording and the music is very engaging.

 

[Dougal1331]

1) Roisin Murphy- Overpowered

2) Jamiroquai- Synkronized

3) Metallica- Black album

4) Ruff Driverz- Infidelity

5) Aphrodite- Aftershock

:bounce:

 

[stefanom]

Oasis CDs

No, they are among the worst sounding. Expecially (Whats the Story) Morning Glory. Shame because it has really nice songs.

1) Unplugged - Eric Clapton. Great "you are there" recording.

2) Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

3) Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis recordings from the 60s. Great instrument separation. For. ex. Take Five - Dave Brubeck Quartet

 

[BigH]

Too many to mention, but the latest from the Dead Can Dance is surely worth adding to the list. Great recording and the music is very engaging.

Yes I agree DCD are well worth trying. Good female vovals and well recorded.

 

[bebelacus]

there are many good ones. Now i listeen to Pink Martini's Splendor in the grass. it has everything you cn wish for, drums, bass, piano, actually a little orchestra plus very good voices (male and female). it would be a good choice if only one choice is allowed.

i am not very experienced with many hifi systems but it tried a few always following the good advice of doing it using the music i like and which i am familiar with.