super high quality reference cd?

[JSimpson]

so i hear that most CDs are not very well recorded/average recording quality. i'm want to notice the greatest effects from my new amp so i'm looking for a great recorded CD so i can use it as a reference. i got enya watermark because i figured it would be pretty good for that kinda thing, it's not something i would usually listen to but it has good quality. anything CD's or songs you would recommend?

also, there is a thing called Gamedoctor/Discdoctor i dont know if you all are familiiar with it but basically it gets rid of scratches in CDs by using a very fine wet sandpaper, therebye getting rid of any skipping or whatnot. my question is, will using the discdoctor on a CD degrade its quality?

 

[zeno333]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSimpson so i hear that most CDs are not very well recorded/average recording quality. i'm want to notice the greatest effects from my new amp so i'm looking for a great recorded CD so i can use it as a reference. i got enya watermark because i figured it would be pretty good for that kinda thing, it's not something i would usually listen to but it has good quality. anything CD's or songs you would recommend? also, there is a thing called Gamedoctor/Discdoctor i dont know if you all are familiiar with it but basically it gets rid of scratches in CDs by using a very fine wet sandpaper, therebye getting rid of any skipping or whatnot. my question is, will using the discdoctor on a CD degrade its quality?

Most small scratches are of no effect on a CD from the very good error correction...the most important thing regarding scratches is the direction that they are on the CD...a CD can handle a very long scratch if it is anywhere close to the perpendicular of the data stream...that is going from the inside of the CD to the outside..this is as long as the scratch is not a very wide one....

Regarding putting an amp through its paces, any good pipe organ CD would be a good choice...

In general, if one can find a Dorian lable CD, that label puts out nothing but sonic masterpieces usually.

 

[bigshot]

If you have scratched CDs, don't buy that overpriced CD polish stuff. Go to the hardware store and get Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner. It costs a fraction of what the CD polishing kits cost, and it does a better job.

The best CDs I have found for testing sound quality are Paavo Jarvi's Stravinsky collection on the PentaTone label, Steely Dan's Gaucho and Reiner's Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition. There are a lot of jazz recordings from the late fifties that work great too... I use Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus, Art Pepper Plus Eleven, and Shorty Rogers Courts the Count.

See ya
Steve

 

[Factor]

You'll find this for $12 or less.

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot If you have scratched CDs, don't buy that overpriced CD polish stuff. Go to the hardware store and get Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner. It costs a fraction of what the CD polishing kits cost, and it does a better job.

Brasso works quite well too.

One of the best cds I own is Alice in chains - MTV Unplugged. IMO an excellent recording.

 

[gloco]

For imaging (height and depth): Dave Matthews: Some Devil. A mix of pop, acoustic and southern/blues tunes. You can literally hear the depth of the recording studio in some songs.

 

[Enverxis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoZX Brasso works quite well too. One of the best cds I own is Alice in chains - MTV Unplugged. IMO an excellent recording.

Seconded

Diana Krall and Patricia Barber are others I recommend.

 

[Ruggerio79]

2 Cassandra Wilson albums - "New Moon Daughter" & "Belly of the Sun"

 

[wakeride74]

Alison Krauss - Live (SACD)

 

[akwok]

Michael Jackson's Thriller or Number Ones.

 

[WK446]

JSimpson:

If you can find this CD, it is one of the very best audiophile CDs in existence:
Burmester Vorfuhrung Test CD III

It is the definitive reference disc for some.

 

[Jasper994]

Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session
Cantus - Let Your Voice Be Heard (available at Borders or Cantusonline.org)

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 Alison Krauss - Live (SACD)

^^^ yes, excellent. definately one of my faves to demo.

of all my CD's i usually use these to demonstrate my system's capabilities:

jessica williams -- higher standard
nirvana unplugged
dire straits -- brother in arms SACD
beck -- sea of change SACD
chet baker -- chet SACD
diana krall recordings are usually a safe bet too.

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanEnthusiast beck -- sea of change SACD

Sea Change, no "of".

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

yes indeed, sorry i butchered it. sea change.