drp Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 You just got a new piece of gear (or entire system) and need to select one of your reference songs to see how you new gear fares; get your first impression. What do you play, and furthermore, why? Alternately, you attend a meet and sit at someone elses table. Same question.
Dusty Chalk Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 For a while there, it was Einsturzende Neubauten, "Sabrina" from Silence is Sexy, mostly because that first bass gank goes down pretty low, and I am familiar with it, and bass is pretty important to me. For mids and trebles, it's a track from Camille's Le Fil, and then it's usually Talk Talk's "The Rainbow" and "Desire", from Spirit of Eden for pretty much everything else (busy section, trumpet, black backgrounds, psychedelic section).
guzziguy Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 When auditioning new gear, I typically use the Burmester Art for the Ear(CD-II) demo CD. I start on the first track, which is Radja Toneff singing The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's an excellent check for how the system handles women voices. I move done the tracks from there.
HeadphoneAddict Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 In this order, depending on what is available: Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Alley - "Stormy Monday" or Diana Krall - Live in Paris - "Case of You" It used to be Shelby Lynn - Just a Little Lovin' - the title track.
LFF Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Sonny Rollins - Way Out West - I'm An Old Cowhand Curtis Counce - You Get More Bounce With Curtis Counce - Stranger In Paradise Bill Evans Trio - Portrait In Jazz - ANY TRACK Cannonball Adderley feat. Bill Evans - Know What I Mean? - ANY TRACK QUEEN - Greatest Hits - ANY TRACK Art Pepper - +11 - Four Brothers Herb Alpert - Casino Royale - Theme Song Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me - On The Road To Mandalay Nat King Cole - Greatest Hits (DCC) - Any Track Except for the DCC - all are custom remasters by me.
Asr Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Alison Krauss & Union Station - "This Sad Song" from Lonely Runs Both Ways, which I consider a decent test for primarily speed, separation, and dynamic range. There are a bunch of other AKUS tracks I also use for the same thing but "This Sad Song" is one of my most-used ones. If I'm at a meet, I play whatever's already in the CD player (or on the computer). Never know what I might discover.
deepak Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Usually what I reach for these days; good dynamics, fairly complex. But a lot of times it's just what I'm in the mood for. On the demo CDR I made it is a combination of symphonies, harp bop, industrial, classic rock, acoustic and folk music.
Aimless1 Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 For new gear for the first listen I try music I know well and truly enjoy. The first two songs are usually Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and "Spring" from Vivaldi's four seasons. Does it sound right? Was it fun? Did I enjoy it? That's really what I'm looking for from Zep's classic. Same questions with Spring but now I'm looking for PRAT and if Salvatore Accardo's violin has the resonance and tone I'm expecting. Then on to female vocals. I've been to one meet. Only had time to listen to music other people brought, much of what I was unfamiliar with.
Dreadhead Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Alison Krauss, "Down to the river to pray", O Brother Where Art Thou (Sound Track). Wonderfully recorded piece with wonderful imaging space. If the phasing is wrong this track points it out. Radiohead, "15 Step", In Rainbows Good overall track for balance and speed. At least for me. James Blunt, "Goodbye My Lover", Back to Bedlam Lots of very small details in the recording and good space good for studying resolution. Hopefully I will be breaking these out today
Dusty Chalk Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Accardo is good? I have several things by him on my wishlist (3x Piazzolla SACD) that I should probably raise to a higher level if so, or is it only the Vivaldi? Too bad that (Four Seasons) is not available on SACD.
Aimless1 Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 The only recording I have Accardo is the Four Seasons. It has become my favorite version. Sad to say, I have not heard him otherwise.
LFF Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 Usually what I reach for these days; good dynamics, fairly complex. But a lot of times it's just what I'm in the mood for. On the demo CDR I made it is a combination of symphonies, harp bop, industrial, classic rock, acoustic and folk music. If you like that version of the Requiem, you should really check out THIS VERSION!
NightWoundsTime Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 Radiohead, "15 Step", In Rainbows Good overall track for balance and speed. At least for me. Good choice. Most gear can sound pretty when you play some Diana Krall on it. I usually go for something loud and crunchy, because if the new gear cowers in the corner when you push it, it's not for me.
aerius Posted July 22, 2009 Report Posted July 22, 2009 Ride of the Valkyries, and crank the volume way up. Why? Because it's loud & fun, goddamnit. Plus a lot of systems can't handle the dynamics and crap out. O Fortuna from Orff's "Camina Burana", also with the volume cranked up good. Same reason as above. Volga Boatmen's Song as performed by the Red Army Choir (make sure it's the Naxos CD). This pretty much covers it all, it has a ridiculous dynamic range from the opening to the crescendo as it goes from a solo voice to a full choir & orchestra. Most systems will crap out at around the 2 minute mark, but it keeps getting louder for another 30 seconds or so. Wait for the trumpets a bit before the 2:25 mark, if they can't cut through the sound and blast you the system is crap. The choir & orchestra will also expose any colourations in the midrange, and quite a few in the bass & treble as well. If the voices start breaking up, getting "honky" or don't sound natural, I know there's something wonky going on. It also works soundstaging & imaging and pretty much everything else except the ability to play female vocals. Sweet Ones by Sarah Slean. Cause I like it and it sounds good.
Absorbine_Sr Posted July 23, 2009 Report Posted July 23, 2009 Harry Chapin's "Taxi" because I'm familiar with it and it has a bit of everything. And "In My Room" by the Beach Boys. If I like the definition in the harmonies, I like the gear.
DefectiveAudioComponent Posted July 24, 2009 Report Posted July 24, 2009 First, I play Apoptygma Berzerk - Kathy's Song. Just to hear if they play the disco. Then, The Bug & Ricky Ranking - Judgment. To hear if there is bass, and if so, where it ends. Then, to be more sure, I also pick George Benson - C-smooth, and then also Radiohead - House of Cards. After the bass experience, there is time for the guitar. Then I pick Daft Punk - Robot Rock. Voices, then. The Hidden Cameras - Death of a Tune. Overall balance: Ludwig van Beethoven by Osmo V
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