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Essentials for Testing

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WigglyWoo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WigglyWoo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2019 at 8:04pm
I've been using Daft Punk's Touch (from Random Access Memories) - to a lesser system the opening can sound like an awful hash of electronic noise but with a good system it really opens out and you can hear into the music in a way which is quite beguiling - try the first 3mins before the music gets going... 

Another track off this album I enjoy as a test track is Giorgio by Moroder, both because I like to hear how realistic his voice sounds during the opening narration and then (don't judge!) the sound of the click he describes :-)  On a lesser system it sounds flat but on a good system it's got real texture and 3-dimensionality to it.  The track has also got a great rhythm to it - a good system should sound effortless and groovy :-)

Some of my other favourites include Kate Bush's Among Angels (50 words for snow) - listen to the swirling timbre of the piano in the opening 30s... and From Let Us Garlands Brin, Op.18 (24bit 192kHz) off of the 2L Audiophile Reference Recordings - breathtaking.

But I could go on... honestly I have so many... (did I mention Dave Brubeck at Carnegie Hall?  Listen to Paul Desmond's sax on Time Out... lovely... and if you're system is good enough you'll hear a lady sneezing in the audience :-))


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Ash View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2019 at 8:26pm
Some of the Ip Man tracks have thundering powerful bass, which showed up the HD250 Linear II bass as being too excessive, especially after its pleather pads have some wear and seal even better than when brand new. Boomy bass is why I gave up on box speakers and tried near-field open baffle with a decent woofer, which gave much more precise and open bass response. Many hi-fi headphones are also mediocre in the bass; too much emphasis or congestion as you say. Even conventional open headphones enclose the ear somewhat and this will inevitably permit audible bass reflections, which is one reason I abandoned investing money in such designs.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote miT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2019 at 9:29pm
Originally posted by WigglyWoo WigglyWoo wrote:

I've been using Daft Punk's Touch (from Random Access Memories) - to a lesser system the opening can sound like an awful hash of electronic noise but with a good system it really opens out and you can hear into the music in a way which is quite beguiling - try the first 3mins before the music gets going... 

Another track off this album I enjoy as a test track is Giorgio by Moroder, both because I like to hear how realistic his voice sounds during the opening narration and then (don't judge!) the sound of the click he describes :-)  On a lesser system it sounds flat but on a good system it's got real texture and 3-dimensionality to it.  The track has also got a great rhythm to it - a good system should sound effortless and groovy :-)

Some of my other favourites include Kate Bush's Among Angels (50 words for snow) - listen to the swirling timbre of the piano in the opening 30s... and From Let Us Garlands Brin, Op.18 (24bit 192kHz) off of the 2L Audiophile Reference Recordings - breathtaking.

But I could go on... honestly I have so many... (did I mention Dave Brubeck at Carnegie Hall?  Listen to Paul Desmond's sax on Time Out... lovely... and if you're system is good enough you'll hear a lady sneezing in the audience :-))


I may have to give some of those a listen... I have heard Daft Punk's RAM but not on a system to analyze the sound. Sadly I have never been a huge fan of funk, although that could be worthy of further studying.

Also can someone please tell me what I have missed with Kate Bush? I think I have heard one of her songs before (Wuthering Heights perhaps?) but I didn't "get it". Is there any other essential listening so I can give her a fair chance?

I love those micro details in live performances!
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miT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote miT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2019 at 9:41pm
Originally posted by Ash Ash wrote:

Some of the Ip Man tracks have thundering powerful bass, which showed up the HD250 Linear II bass as being too excessive, especially after its pleather pads have some wear and seal even better than when brand new. Boomy bass is why I gave up on box speakers and tried near-field open baffle with a decent woofer, which gave much more precise and open bass response. Many hi-fi headphones are also mediocre in the bass; too much emphasis or congestion as you say. Even conventional open headphones enclose the ear somewhat and this will inevitably permit audible bass reflections, which is one reason I abandoned investing money in such designs.
I understand that and always preferred a similar sound with my speakers as well. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed my K701 and ER4P; "anemic bass" doesn't bother me as long as I can hear the texture as I prefer that cohesive sound. Boomy or overly powerful bass is annoying, although I still like my bass head music on occasion (Propellerheads - Ron's Theory is a recent rediscovery from my collection which has a nice LF punch, or Fatboy Slim - Punk to Funk has always been fun). As long a bass drum has enough presence to sound real, we have a winner.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shirivasta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 5:24pm
One of my favorites, and a good example of how digital mastering can sound pretty darned good.


Frederick Fennell, The Cleveland Symphonic Winds - Holst* / Handel* / Bach* ‎– Suite No. 1 In E-Flat • Suite No. 2 In F / Music For The Royal Fireworks / Fantasia In G

Telarc ‎– 5038

This is a Soundstream recording, and it will not only blow the dust off you drivers, it really has a nice soundstage and has a great deal of definition. My used copy only has one playable side, but you can pick up a copy for not much money.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 3:01am
If you’re looking for a ripper recording that’s also super musical, try this! Available on LP, HDCD and download.


Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pike on the fly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Apr 2020 at 8:52pm
Hi all, interesting thread.

My go to test album, & it is something that’s good from beginning to end, so a great listen at the same time.
The detail, soundstage, stereo effects, delicacy & dynamics are breathtaking. Has it all.

Roger Waters ‘Amused to Death’

Available as digital download, CD, or up to 200grm vinyl. So all can try it.

Happy listening
Matthew
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