So whats your test disc?

[neb]

Hi,

Since I've been trying various md and cd units out recently I thought I'd find out if there is a common 'test' disc that people use here when giving a unit the thumbs up or down. It may be a cd that you don't actually like but you know is 'challenging' to the unit - or it may be a cd with stereo effects that cheaper units muddle up - whatever. Any takers?

Neb

 

[edog]

I just use a custom compilation CD-R. I haven't yet encountered a premade CD that tests all aspects of a system equally well. My CD-R has a combination of rock, pop, jazz, classical, opera, and dance that have been recorded well. Basically, it has samples of all the kinds of music I listen to.

Also, the Stereophile test CDs are good for testing specific technical aspects of a system. They have tests specifically for soundstaging, frequency response, and other technical factors. Plus, they have music samples which are very well recorded. So I usually bring those along as well.

 

[Audio-Me]

Note: I don't own any CD's that I don't like.

When doing home testing, I don't make a definite opinion until I have let it run overnight and have listened to one album from each genre that I frequently listen to.

 

[lextek]

I use Natile Merchant "Tigerlily" This was the first CD I heard on atrue "high end' System.

Lextek

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by neb ...It may be a cd that you don't actually like...

Not a good idea. You should definitely pick something you like, as you're going to have to listen to it over and over and over again. And since it's not going to sound the same on every system, you really do need to listen to it repeatedly, to try to glean what it sounds like underneath all the different veneers.

Also, I don't abide by the philosophy of most audiophile magazines -- they use a lot of sparsely recorded material -- blues and jazz and whatsername, Holly Cole and Paula Cole and Cowboy Junkies first album. Blech! Almost all systems sound good with that stuff, it's not "testing". I mean, solo instruments have their place -- especially piano, has a lot of upper harmonics, but you need to be extremely familiar with the recording to know that any faults do not lie there -- to pick out particular problems -- such as THD -- but I think busy music is a much better test of the way a system reacts to different frequency combinations and compression-causing problems.

Here are some of the CD's/tracks that I use:

Holst The Planets (von Karajan on DG version; especially the first -- dynamic! -- and last -- ethereal choir, very hard to reproduce "correctly" -- tracks)

Nine Inch Nail Broken (especially the first full track, "Wish")

Stabbing Westward Darkest Days (especially the busier tracks -- "When I'm Dead", "Sometimes It Hurts", "The Thing I Hate" -- but also the slow ones that sound closely mic'd, "Drowning" and "Goodbye"; is also HDCD)

Specifically for headphones, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" from Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album has a great laugh on it, towards the end of Part V (I.E., track 1). Also, Jean-Michel Jarre's "Equinoxe Part IV" (studio version) should tickle.

 

[lextek]

You have to be familiar withe CD . How else can you compare things. I know I listen to Lyle Lovett "I love Everybody". The silabance were really srong with one tube but not another in the MG Had OTL. Pick a CD yoy like and know.

Lextek

 

[gloco]

Like everyone else is saying, choose a handful of cd's your very familiar with.

George

 

[lextek]

With familar music you'll know when it sounds just right.

Lextek

 

[andrzejpw]

Ok computer! I know the album like the back of my hand!

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by DustyChalk Also, I don't abide by the philosophy of most audiophile magazines -- they use a lot of sparsely recorded material -- blues and jazz and whatsername, Holly Cole and Paula Cole and Cowboy Junkies first album. Blech! Almost all systems sound good with that stuff, it's not "testing".

Gotta disagree STRONGLY there. The Cowboy Junkies' first album doesn't sound good on all systems at all. A poor system makes it sound like junk; and the better the system, the more amazing that recording sounds. Plus it is one of the most "sounds like you're at the venue listing to an actual performance" recordings I've ever heard -- no processing, no real mixing, etc. You hear the actual performance, and that's all. Oh, and the music is great, too

This is one of the best CDs around for letting you figure out if your system is capable of producing anything close to "real" sound.

 

[eric343]

Well, Mahler (symphony no. 2, Deutsche Grammophon recording), Dvorak (D.G. recording of "From the New World"), and "The Engineer's Choice: Top Recording Engineer John Eargle Picks his favorite demo tracks" 1 and 2, both Delos recordings.

 

[fredpb]

I use a personal compilation created by copying files on my computer to a music CD. This seems to be good enough for me.
You need a variety of music. I use it to test cd players, cables, speakers, and amps.

Some things off the top of my head....


You need to test the very low end. This is usually electronic music or classical. Then some cymbals or something for the high end, and detail. Female vocals. Different types of music. Your favorite works, or excerpts from them.

I even use Madonna's "Vogue". Has good low end (not the lowest though) and they play with the sound a bit too. Really good for speakers.

High end and detail is very very important.

You will have to search your own library for what you need. Buying test stuff may cost you more than the unit you want to test!

 

[eric343]

Quote:

Originally posted by fredpb You need to test the very low end. This is usually electronic music or classical.

Messiaen: Pentecost Mass (track 11 on Engineer's Choice 2)

Goes down to 20hz with some of those organ notes...

 

[Trawlerman]

Quote:

Originally posted by lextek I use Natile Merchant "Tigerlily" This was the first CD I heard on atrue "high end' System. Lextek

Me too. I listen to this CD so much that it's become ingrained in my psyche.

A great listen for those that are unfamiliar with it.



Sound as ever

 

[Audio Redneck]

No one disk. I use the following:

Phil Keaggy - the Wind and the Wheat; Probably my favorite CD of all time. If it doesn't sound good with this, I don't want it.

Rockport compilation CDR - recorded by the editor of a stereo mag (that shall remain nameless

) on a $30k+ turntable/cart/arm/phono-stage/preamp/cdr of some of the best pressings of assorted music. Most of it is not the stuff I like, but the sound is awesume! Tracks include (forgive the spelling):
- Would I lie to you? * Eurythmics
- Smells like teen sprit * Nervana
- Late in the evening (live) * Paul Simon
- Avalon * Roxi Music
- Broken Arrow * Dave Mason(?)
- Baba O'Reily * The Who
- Street in the City * Pete Townsend
- Peggy Sue * Buddy Holly

Being able to understand(distinguish?

) the lyrics to Nervana is the first true test of a system