JJack
11-01-2012, 21:49
I've been evaluating equipment recently, and the dealers and other customers asked for a list of my demo records, so I thought I'd share it here. Catalog numbers are provided where known.
If I only had 2 minutes to test a system, I'd use the Bach Cello - it will tell you 80% of what you need to know:
On most of these I'll only listen for a minute or two, the whole list takes less than 30 minutes to go through. It's a good sign if you can't bear to stop something after 2 minutes.
These are in my rough order of importance.
On vinyl: Sibelius Violin Concerto, middle of first movement, David Oistrakh and the Philadelphia Orchestra on a Columbia Odyssey LP. This is the fast solo violin playing after the orchestra drops out. For evaluating the treble for glare or edge (it should sound sweet and rich despite the high pitch)
Bach, solo cello suite #1, first movement. Maurice Gendron on Phillips 2-cd set, 442 293-2. The first two minutes will tell you about the system's timbre and bass. The low notes should not "fart" and the sound should be rich but should also resolve the scratch of the bow on the cello. The scales should be even in volume for the most part. At the end of the first minute there shouldn't be an digital hash (there usually is, even on top kit) when he ascends to the top of the scale. The cello should be centered.
Olga Borodina, Tchaikovsky- None but the Lonely Heart, track 1 "My Protector, My Angel, My Friend" - for female vocal and dynamic range. Her voice should explode out of the speakers. Don't start this one too loudly. Phillips CD 442013
Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland conducting the London Symphony on Sony CD, available in a number of compilations that Sony has done over the years. (I also have it on CBS vinyl). Tested for horn and trumpet, ultimate resolution, and the monumental percussion, which should resonate across from left to right, and one should hear the skin after the percussion strikes.
Bruckner, Symphony 8, Vienna Philharmonic, Karajan conducting on DG, beginning of first movement. This is recorded poorly in the treble, so it will sound bad on overly bright systems. The Bel Canto 3.5 DAC did a fantastic job with this. DG 215471
Grieg, Peer Gynt "In the Hall of the Mountain King" Fjeldstad conducting the London Symphony on Classic Records CD (long out of print). This is the one that sounds like a cartoon chase scene, and ends at a very fast tempo. Enormous tympani and bass roll at the end, and will test a system's resolution of very complex matter. This or the Britten is a must for orchestral music lovers.
Britten, Sinfonia da requiem, beginning of first movement. Kansas City Symphony on Reference Recordings, number RR-120. Like the Copland recording, this starts with a giant bass drum hit. Probably the best-sounding orchestral recording I own, issued in 2009 so should be available.
Oscar Peterson Trio, We Get Requests, track #6 "You Look Good to Me" on Verve CD. For bass extension, and PRAT, also piano tone (it should sound like a barroom piano).
Dave Brubeck Quartet "The Great Concerts" on ColumbiaCK 44215. Live version of the audiophile classic "Take Five." There's almost no bass on the track, so the system should sound light. Good piano and sax.
Neil Young Live at Massey Hall, track #5 "Helpless" for male tenor vocals and resolution of acoustic guitar.
The Clash, London Calling "Brand New Cadillac" - for prat, especially the ability to "let go" of the fast kick drum notes, whilst still reproducing all their fullness.
I'm a strong believer that one should have an establish test list that you can hum in your sleep.
What's your list (and why?)
If I only had 2 minutes to test a system, I'd use the Bach Cello - it will tell you 80% of what you need to know:
On most of these I'll only listen for a minute or two, the whole list takes less than 30 minutes to go through. It's a good sign if you can't bear to stop something after 2 minutes.
These are in my rough order of importance.
On vinyl: Sibelius Violin Concerto, middle of first movement, David Oistrakh and the Philadelphia Orchestra on a Columbia Odyssey LP. This is the fast solo violin playing after the orchestra drops out. For evaluating the treble for glare or edge (it should sound sweet and rich despite the high pitch)
Bach, solo cello suite #1, first movement. Maurice Gendron on Phillips 2-cd set, 442 293-2. The first two minutes will tell you about the system's timbre and bass. The low notes should not "fart" and the sound should be rich but should also resolve the scratch of the bow on the cello. The scales should be even in volume for the most part. At the end of the first minute there shouldn't be an digital hash (there usually is, even on top kit) when he ascends to the top of the scale. The cello should be centered.
Olga Borodina, Tchaikovsky- None but the Lonely Heart, track 1 "My Protector, My Angel, My Friend" - for female vocal and dynamic range. Her voice should explode out of the speakers. Don't start this one too loudly. Phillips CD 442013
Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland conducting the London Symphony on Sony CD, available in a number of compilations that Sony has done over the years. (I also have it on CBS vinyl). Tested for horn and trumpet, ultimate resolution, and the monumental percussion, which should resonate across from left to right, and one should hear the skin after the percussion strikes.
Bruckner, Symphony 8, Vienna Philharmonic, Karajan conducting on DG, beginning of first movement. This is recorded poorly in the treble, so it will sound bad on overly bright systems. The Bel Canto 3.5 DAC did a fantastic job with this. DG 215471
Grieg, Peer Gynt "In the Hall of the Mountain King" Fjeldstad conducting the London Symphony on Classic Records CD (long out of print). This is the one that sounds like a cartoon chase scene, and ends at a very fast tempo. Enormous tympani and bass roll at the end, and will test a system's resolution of very complex matter. This or the Britten is a must for orchestral music lovers.
Britten, Sinfonia da requiem, beginning of first movement. Kansas City Symphony on Reference Recordings, number RR-120. Like the Copland recording, this starts with a giant bass drum hit. Probably the best-sounding orchestral recording I own, issued in 2009 so should be available.
Oscar Peterson Trio, We Get Requests, track #6 "You Look Good to Me" on Verve CD. For bass extension, and PRAT, also piano tone (it should sound like a barroom piano).
Dave Brubeck Quartet "The Great Concerts" on ColumbiaCK 44215. Live version of the audiophile classic "Take Five." There's almost no bass on the track, so the system should sound light. Good piano and sax.
Neil Young Live at Massey Hall, track #5 "Helpless" for male tenor vocals and resolution of acoustic guitar.
The Clash, London Calling "Brand New Cadillac" - for prat, especially the ability to "let go" of the fast kick drum notes, whilst still reproducing all their fullness.
I'm a strong believer that one should have an establish test list that you can hum in your sleep.
What's your list (and why?)