Can you recommend great demo CD?

michaelv · « **on:** 10 Feb 2006, 07:15 pm »

Hi,
I am looking for great demo CDs in order to test 2 channel system whenever i want.

My prefered music: Jazz, Classical, Pop, Soft rock.

thanks.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 08:04 pm »

Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter, tracks 1,2, 8,9 are what I use.

Eva Cassidy - Songbird, is a nice one as well

Wynton Marsalis - The Magic Hour, is fine ..in fact I think the NY Rave is burned out on it they've heard it so much.

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 09:16 pm »

I like Jacques Lourisser Trio recordings. His jazz interpretation of classical music in Piano, Bass and Drums...excellent recording.

ctviggen · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 09:25 pm »

You know, I don't like anyone I can't pronounce!

Jazz interpretation of classical music? I may have to check that out.

No one is going to recommend the Popsicle Toes lady?

michaelv · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 10:00 pm »

Thanks, i'll check them out. Or the best bet, i'll compile songs i think they're great on CDR...

Levi · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 02:51 am »

Wait. Here is the link to Telarc recording of Jacques Loussier.

http://www.telarc.com/biography/bios.asp?aid=58

You can listen before you buy the album. I have several of his CDs check "Baroque Favorites" first.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 03:24 am »

Quote

Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter, tracks 1,2, 8,9 are what I use.

Excellent choice!!

Quote

Eva Cassidy - Songbird, is a nice one as well

Live At Blues Alley is a much better reference.

In addition, you MUST pick up Craig Chaquico - Panorama

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 06:04 am »

Quote from: Marbles

Wynton Marsalis - The Magic Hour, is fine ..in fact I think the NY Rave is burned out on it they've heard it so much.

Well....yes, but its a VG demo track (#1)....and a good cd. Its just that we have been using that for a few years....but everyone knows it, and has heard it in many different systems.

We use track 5 - "Gold To Me ".[/list:u]

carusoracer · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 02:57 pm »

McIntosh SACD sampler
Burmester 02- 03 CD Sampler
Mapleshade recordings
Russell Dawkins "Romeo and Juliet" recording
Balanced Power Tech's reference recording disc from CES show

Some of my discs. I also take a personal favorite that you know every stanza and nuance. Each speaker has it's own indivdual portrait.

ted_b · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 05:05 pm »

I second the recommendation of the Burmester samplers. Wow. Mapleshade, as well. And finally, yes, definitely take a few of your favorites that you know biblically!

What I do is make a cd sampler with a few cuts from each of my faves, and rip and burn gently (EAC 2X max).

Anybody know how to find any of the Burmester samplers? I found No.3, but would love No.2 as well.

bally · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 06:58 pm »

Jheena Lodwick "All My Loving on xrcd.

Fantastic recording.

The songs are a bit corny but its great seeing the jaws drop when you put on Track1.

Cheers

Peter

OTL · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Apr 2006, 07:02 pm »

If you're trying to establish "boogie factor", these work extremely well and regularly cause outbreaks of air guitar and air piano. (I was tempted to say "air organ" but thats more likely a question of the temperment of your company, not the quality of the music.)

- Rickie Lee Jones, Eddie's All-star Joint (my original vinyl smokes the CD)
- Sam McClaine, What you want me to do?
- Jeff Beck Group, Goin' down (Just turn it up for the first 5 cuts)
- Michelle Shocked - If love was a train
- Joe Cocker/Sheffield Steel, many cuts don't miss Ruby Lee and Shocked
- The Kentucky Headhunters, Spirit in the sky and Wishin' Well (digital recording that's a bit sterile, but still rocks)

And for more intimate sounds:

- Holly Cole, Get out of town
- Sarah Vaughan, How long has this been going on - All cuts
- Sara K, If I could sing your blues
- Lyle Lovett, She's already made up her mind.

If these sound good, likely anything else will also.

Listen, share and enjoy.

OTL

OTL · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Apr 2006, 08:26 pm »

...I'm in a half-way house, on a one way street and I'm...quarter past left alive.....!

MrCool78 · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 06:37 am »

1) Isn't She Lovely (Livingston Taylor), especially his whistle and his plucking guitar

2) If I Could Sing Your Blues (Sara K), especially her background/soundstage music, the depth and her vocal

3) Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), especially her piano and intimate vocal, her vocal is really silky smooth

4) Black Coffee (Claire Martin) for clarity, bass and her voice

5)"Drum Improve" Sheffield Drive" the best drum tester

cheers

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 01:10 am »

Also check out Fidelio Records: www.fidelioaudio.com

I purchased a few of these at the Montreal show and the ones that I had a chance to listen to have been MOST IMPRESSIVE!

michaelv · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 12:01 am »

I've found chesky.com records are good.

Folsom · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 02:12 am »

Joe Cocker - Heart & Soul

I doubt there is a better recording he is on.

The Fucking Champs - IV

No joke, this is not just a rave, they have the most amazing guitar recording I have ever heard. I am not saying they are the most talented, but their quality is AMAZING.

Thebiker · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 05:49 pm »

Reference Recordings: Tchaikovsky; Symphonic Dances

This will cover everything from soft quiet passages to dynamic percussion with the range of a full symphonic orchestra. Plus Reference Recordings are extremely well done.

F-100 · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 05:55 pm »

Quote from: bally

Jheena Lodwick "All My Loving on xrcd.

Fantastic recording.

The songs are a bit corny but its great seeing the jaws drop when you put on Track1.

Cheers

Peter

I've this CD in my collection too. You're absolutely right!! Fantastic recording. This woman have a great voice too.

drewfidelity · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 09:49 pm »

I think that it is important to use music that you are very familiar with when you audition components. A number of the Audiophile discs suggested are wonderful recordings, but I would ask how many of those type of recordings do you regularly listen to? If only extremely well recorded music is all that you listen to, then you are missing out on quite a bit of great music out there.

Also, it is important to see how a system sounds with poorly/average sound quality recordings. If Holly Cole sounds wonderful, but Janis Joplin sounds like crap, what have you gained by purchasing a particular component (feel free to substitute any poor/average recorded super talent)?

The more familiar you are with a particular recording, the better chance you have of hearing significant differences between components.