[kpp80202]

I really like the binaural Ultrasone Benchmark CD, and am looking for other good reference CD's to put headphones and systems through their paces. Suggestions? Interested in classical, jazz, and alternative rock, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[fatcat28037]

Try Chesky Records 10 Best

http://www.chesky.com/

 

[Rav]

Probably the best refernce recordings are the ones you know the best.

Some of mine that i like to listen to new kit with (and that i listen to on a fairly regular basis anyway):

Massive Attack Mezzanine
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds
Pixies Doolittle
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Time Out
Gomez Bring it On
Eva Cassidy Songbird
Katie Melua Call off the Search
Holst The Planets (OSM/Charles Dutiot)
Eric Clapton Unplugged
Alison Krauss & Union Station Live
The Beta Band Hot Shots II

 

[NanduAjit]

eric clapton-unplugged
jeff beck- you had it coming
terry evans- puttin it down
lightnin hopkins- goin away
eva cassidy- time after time
metallica- s&m

...just to name i few i use as references...

 

[Thelonious Monk]

mix in awesome records (Ultrasone CD) with great recordings (Clapton Unplugged) with good recordings (Van Halen's 1984) with bad recordings (RHCP's Californication) with abysmal recordings (Chuck Berry)

you've got to be familiar with your reference material, and you've got to use a range of quality. that way you'll figure out how good your headphones are at extracting detail AND how good they are at making bad recordings sound horrible. i like a compromise...

 

[LFF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatcat28037 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try Chesky Records 10 Best http://www.chesky.com/

Completely second this.

Others:

Dave Brubeck - Time Out
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
...more to come later.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rav /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Dave Brubeck Quartet Time Out

I love this CD/Album .. its always one of my FAV.

 

[Solitary1]

Yeah, favorite cds are always good references, but sometimes you do need a REFERENCE cd. Try the Sheffield Labs, the Stereophile, or the aforementioned Chesky Labs. I have several, they do come in handy.

 

[Demetrio]

Some personal favorites:

- BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES - Outbound
- MIKE KENEALLY - The Universe Will Provide
- TERJE RYPDAL - If Mountains Could Sing
- DAVID TORN, MICK KARN & TERRY BOZZIO - Polytown
- NILS PETTER MOLVAER - Khmer e An American Compilation
- ERIK TRUFFAZ - The Walk of the Giant Turtle
- METRO - Tree People
- JEFF GOLUB - Do It Again
- BRUFORD LEVIN - Upper Extremities
- PEDER AF UGGLAS - Autumn Shuffle
- STEELY DAN - Two Against Nature
- CHRIS REA - The Road to Hell (1) e Auberge
- BRIAN BROMBERG - Choices, Jaco & Wood
- BOZZIO LEVIN STEVENS - Black Light Syndrome
- VERTÚ - Vertú
- GORDIAN KNOT - Emergent
- JAH WOBBLE & BILL LASWELL - Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission
- ROBERT RICH - Seven Veils
- UAKTI - I Ching
- CARLA LOTHER - Ephemera
- ROGER WATERS - Amused to Death