Test Records

What happened to Dark side of the moon - Money and Time, once upon a time the reference for testing audiophile gear?

I have a few albums that stretch to the extremes on both top and bottom end to test that if needed, but since the true test of quality gear for me is the life like reproduction (high fidelity) of a performance, I like taking live recordings like Jazz at the Pawnshop and close my eyes. If I can imagine that I'm actually sitting in the room and can "see" the artists performing, I'm happy. This is the acid test for me, since I don't have the ear to hear the nth degree of detail and differences and to be honest I think most of it is perception

Yip, I do mean vinyl. Is it the clocks or clicks and pops keeping you awake this time of the morning Graham...?

Recently at the NAS I found myself getting a little over saturated with listening to system after system, probably due to arriving late and trying to fit as much in as possible in a short period of time, so I must have appeared more like someone playing musical chairs than an appreciative listener. Like I said, after system 10 you start becoming "numb", but what did intrigue me was the choice of music the exhibitors chose to demo their systems with. One record I came across, which I subsequently bought was the Stockfisch label's "Vinyl Collection". They employ direct metal master cutting, whatever that means, but although it's not 100% my type of music (not all the songs in any case), the recording does impress. It is hugely detailed and transparent and most songs also span the whole frequency range, which I think makes this quite a good test record. Some listeners may find the presentation a little upfront, by I do enjoy a bit of detail and clarity every now and then, without it being too much in my face or bright.

I use 'Man Next Door' too!