[energie]

I know everyone has some reference album or tracks you play when buying new gear!
 
Mind sharing some?
 
thanks in advance

 

[jackskelly]

I have several great recordings that I use as benchmarks, most of them are classical though (the most beautiful form of art in my opinion):
 
Fritz Reiner and the CSO's recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is one of the very greatest recordings by almost any measure (they offer a SACD version, which I recommend, unless you can get the vinyl version of it):
 
http://www.amazon.com/music/dp/B0002TKFRM
 
Carlos Kleiber's recording of Beethoven's 5th and 7th symphonies, while not the very best recorded, is easily one of the greatest recordings ever (due to the musicality, among other things):
 
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Nos-5-7/dp/B000001GPX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372124502&sr=8-1&keywords=beethoven+5+7
 
Weezer's Pinkerton (on vinyl is ideal) is also great:
 
http://www.amazon.com/music/dp/B000000OVP
 
I would also say most classical or jazz recordings in SACD (or high resolution downloads - greater than 44.1/16 bit) would be benchmarks that you could use to audition with new gear.

 

[energie]

thanks for sharing! do you have any jazz title?

 

[zowki]

thanks for sharing! do you have any jazz title?

My reference jazz albums are Jazz at the Pawnshop, Waltz for Debby, and Night Train.

 

[energie]

thanks for sharing ill try to buy them

 

[StratocasterMan]

Quote:

thanks for sharing ill try to buy them

 
The album 'Sea Change' by Beck. It's not a jazz title, but it's available in better than CD quality, like 88.2 / 24 or better.
 
It's extremely well recorded!
 
It's not a jazz album, but the recording quality is extremely good.

 

[energie]

man i really like this one Waltz for Debby
do you know any title same genre but with vocals?

 

[mrpink44]

I prefer "Haitian Fight Song" off of Charles Mingus' "The Clown" album. It opens with a bass solo which should test the low end, has enough crazyness to test how well congested parts are handled, and the horns will reveal any problems with the highs. I dig a lot of the other jazz recommendations, but IMO, MIngus makes some of the best stuff to really test a system.

 

[energie]

thank you too will try to find it
 
any jazz with vocals?

 

[zowki]

For jazz with vocals my reference album is the "Night Songs" compilation album from Chesky Records:
https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=090368027023

 

[cradon]

One of my favorite album is the "Buena Vista Social Club" from Nonesuch Records.
https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=search&about=album&keyword=Buena%20Vista%20Social%20Club
My favorite tracks are #1 Chan Chan, and #8 El Carretero.