Please recommend ' benchmark ' audio CDs / tracks

[Bencrest]

Well, my Little Dot Mk V is currently (according to my national parcel courier, Parcelforce) on a plane to the UK, and is soon to be paired with my well burned in AKG K701s. Hopefully I won't get stung with high customs charges

Anyway, since I reckon my setup (granted the source needs upgrading) will probably lean on the side of analytical, I thought I'd ask if people could recommend some music, even CD albums, which would show off the amp / cans to their potential.

Granted they are being fed by a Sony CDP-XB930, not a 'top of the range' deck, and a set of QED Qunex 3 cables, but it's more than capable in my current state of mind (and budget!).

Just so you know, I listen to ANYTHING. Well, anything apart from someone sat in the corner playing a guitar by themselves. Sorry, that just doesn't do it for me. I listen to ANYTHING else. I have a very varied CD collection. OK, it's mainly rock / metal, but there is plenty of pop, some rap, classical, e.t.c. in there.

I basically just want a CD that when I play it, it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, and my brain say 'yes, you should have spent this money on this headphone rig, because you are on the path to sonic nirvana' or similar

 

[subtle]

I was researching this same thing last week, and there are quite a few excellent topics on this subject if you perform some advanced searches.

From my personal experience, the one that almost always stands out in my mind as beautifully mastered is Eric Clapton's "Unplugged".

If that doesn't get the hairs to stand up on your arms and neck you may need to check your pulse.

 

[NeObliviscaris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was researching this same thing last week, and there are quite a few excellent topics on this subject if you perform some advanced searches. From my personal experience, the one that almost always stands out in my mind as beautifully mastered is Eric Clapton's "Unplugged". If that doesn't get the hairs to stand up on your arms and neck you may need to check your pulse.

can you link to us to somewhere we can get the 'beautifully mastered' copy of this?

 

[Caribou679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was researching this same thing last week, and there are quite a few excellent topics on this subject if you perform some advanced searches. From my personal experience, the one that almost always stands out in my mind as beautifully mastered is Eric Clapton's "Unplugged". If that doesn't get the hairs to stand up on your arms and neck you may need to check your pulse.

Are you referencing this:
Amazon.com: Unplugged: Music: Eric Clapton

regards,

 

[DanT]

There the Ultrasone Test CD
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f9/mus...4/#post2486100

The megaupload link still work. as of now

 

[goldenratiophi]

Talk Talk - Laughing Stock.

^---- every Head-Fier should own this album.

 

[fraseyboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenratiophi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Talk Talk - Laughing Stock. ^---- every Head-Fier should own this album.

Checked it out on Amazon. I am now going to buy this album. Thanks!

 

[subtle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeedMeTrance /img/forum/go_quote.gif can you link to us to somewhere we can get the 'beautifully mastered' copy of this?

Try your local record store. It's a very common album.

 

[Arainach]

The Gladiator Soundtrack always comes up.

I've found this list fairly reliable. I own a collection of discs off it - Bluesiana Triangle, the Bernstein Mahler, DMB - Crash, the Carmina Burana, and the Gladiator Soundtrack. All are excellent discs.

The collection I use is:

Eagles - Hell Freezes Over - This fills the spot for me that Unplugged fills for everyone else. A live, mostly acoustic concert that's got emotion, stunning detail, and that I can't stop listening to. The first 60 seconds of Hotel California are the first thing I test any sound system on.
Mahler - Symphony #3 (Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, 1989, Deutsche Gramaphone) - Amazing detail, soundstage, and dynamics. Track 8 of Disc 1 is my usual benchmark, but the entire thing is fantastic
Art Blakely - Bluesiana Triangle - Fantastic recording of small combo jazz that captures the shimmer of the drums beautifully
John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess - An Evening With... - This disc is stunning in every sense of the word, and is my demo for electric guitar and piano.

I occasionally bring along other albums, such as Bill Evans Trio - Waltz for Debby, DMB - Under the Table and Dreaming, and Fennell conducting the Cleveland Symphonic Winds in the Holst Suites et. al, but those 4 are my definitive set.

 

[Uncle Erik]

You're up for anything?

I just finished listening to Willie Nelson's Stardust. I know country isn't hot in these parts, but this is Willie singing standards. Great recording, great performance, and it always makes me happy. If you'd like to stretch a little, pick it up.

 

[dvw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arainach /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Gladiator Soundtrack always comes up.

X2 It has great complexity for testing especially on track4 the battle.

 

[fraseyboy]

Hmm... I remember a website from a while ago that had a CD sound quality 'Hall of Fame' where CD's were ranked from best sound to worst, along with a 'Hall of Shame' where californication I think was on the top.

Anyone know the URL?

 

[Bencrest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanT /img/forum/go_quote.gif There the Ultrasone Test CD http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f9/mus...4/#post2486100 The megaupload link still work. as of now

Cheers DanT, downloaded last night, and will burn a copy off when I get back from work

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtle /img/forum/go_quote.gif From my personal experience, the one that almost always stands out in my mind as beautifully mastered is Eric Clapton's "Unplugged".

I ordered this last night, I was intending to order some music so took advantage of one of those '4 for £18' type deals. Mind you, I actually ended up ordering 8 albums

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif You're up for anything? I just finished listening to Willie Nelson's Stardust.

Yeah, up for anything. I've quite a diverse taste in music anyway, so am happy to look into different genres. I've nothing that would compare to this at the moment, and will see how much a copy will be

 

[kenchi1983]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arainach /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Gladiator Soundtrack always comes up. = Eagles - Hell Freezes Over - This fills the spot for me that Unplugged fills for everyone else. A live, mostly acoustic concert that's got emotion, stunning detail, and that I can't stop listening to. The first 60 seconds of Hotel California are the first thing I test any sound system on.

I remember doing some research on the best DTS dvds, and the dvd concert of this turned up multiple times. i remember getting it (from ebay) and listening (and watching) it for the first time and was wow-ed.

Amazon.com: The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over (Bonus DTS track): Movies & TV: Glenn Frey,Don Henley,Don Felder,Joe Walsh (III),Timothy B. Schmit,Timothy Drury,John Corey,Scott Crago,Beth McCarthy-Miller

 

[sejarzo]

Assuming we are in a non-classical mode here........two good ones:

Nickel Creek's first disc ("Reasons Why", in particular.)

Harry Connick, Jr.'s "25" ("On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe".....great vocals, Ray Brown workin' the acoustic bass, and the slighty breathy/spitty sax work.)