[Vedder323]

I know everyone has favorite artists and performances but the truth is, those performances might not always sound the best on there system. So, im wondering what reference tracks or even albums you guys have that really shine in your setup? What do you like about the recording? IE: Soundstage, bass, etc etc?

Ill go first.

Strangely, one of my favorite recordings to play to show of pin point imaging and detail is the soundtrack for "Magnolia".

http://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Motion-Picture-Aimee-Mann/dp/B00003A9NN

If you have never heard this recording, its a must have for stereo placement and accuracy. I love it.

[lemiongo]

Cafe Blue by Paticia Barber.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Cafe-Blue-Patricia-Barber/dp/B0007785DK

Great bass and huge soundstage.

[Cheeseboy]

Herbie Hancock - The River
The Piano is just awesome.  Any cut on the CD wll do fine but Cut 1 and 4 are the best.  The way the brushes on the cymbals create an envoirment that the rest of the music lives in is wonderfull.  It is a big space.

[LarryB]

Vedder:

I am aware that this is a contentious issue and it is not my intention to start a world war, but it is my strongly held position that pinpoint imaging is an artifact of the recording and playback process, has nothing to with music, and receives far too much attention in the audiophile community.  (As an aside, this was the subject of my very first audio essay.)  I prefer instead to focus on recordings that highlight particular aspects of music - rather than sound.  In particular I like to use recordings with excellent dynamic contrasts; also useful is large-scale music, as many systems fall down when the music gets complex.  And of course, well-recorded vocals are revealing of a system's tonality and harmonics.

My two cents.  YMMV.

Larry

[zybar]

I know everyone has favorite artists and performances but the truth is, those performances might not always sound the best on there system. So, im wondering what reference tracks or even albums you guys have that really shine in your setup? What do you like about the recording? IE: Soundstage, bass, etc etc?

Ill go first.

Strangely, one of my favorite recordings to play to show of pin point imaging and detail is the soundtrack for "Magnolia".

http://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Motion-Picture-Aimee-Mann/dp/B00003A9NN

If you have never heard this recording, its a must have for stereo placement and accuracy. I love it.

Great album that I love to listen to from start to finish. 

I use "One", "Wise Up", and "Save Me" the most for showing off the stereo.

George

[freerider]

I like Pink Floyd, Pulse DVD and their live concert.  It's not a 2 channel demo though, definately need 5.1 (or 5.2  )

[rollo]

  Basically any very well produced recording from, Acoudtic Sounds, Reference Recordings or Chesky.
  No Hi Fi spectaculars required. Usually something with Piano or violin first and vocals to follow. Most systems do not get the piano or violin right. A true test IMO.
  I perfer samplers from the above mentioned labels. For Surround/video The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert, oh my.



charles
SMA

[Tyson]

Mahler's 2nd Symphony - if a system can keep the location, tonality, and musical lines separate and precise, from the double basses, cello's, violins, brass, and timpani, then it is doing something very right.  In many systems it all just turns into a big "wall of sound".  The set conducted by Gary Bertini is my reference Mahler set.

[golfugh]

Soundkeeper Recordings - Equinox by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn

I'm going to add one more

Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth, the whole album (phenomenal RB recording)

[diofan56]

Joanna Conner has a song named "Smoke it Up".  It's her version of a Reggae style song.  You can imagine the theme of the song.  It was actually recorded pretty decently.  It sounds amazing through my very old 100-watt per channel Adcom amp and my 'new' Legacy Focus SE speakers.  It'll sound even better when I get the amp and preamp upgraded.

[Jerrin]

I can't make you love me                        Luck of the Draw          Bonnie Raitt

Bohemian Rhapsody   (multichannel)       A night at the opera      Queen  (DVD-A)

Don't Worry Be Happy                            Cocktail soundtrack       Bobby McFerrin

[lonewolfny42]

Whats your favorite "go to" recording to "show off" what your system can do?

Soundtrack.... "Glory"

Jazz....."Time Out"

Rock...."Fight For Your Mind"

Blues...." Keb Mo' "

Female Vocals...."Alison Krauss & Union Station - Live"



And....for fun...and LOUD....

"Becoming Insane"