Two neat test albums for your system

I came across two fun streaming/CD albums that offer an interesting test for your system: What About this, Mr. Clementi? and What About This, Mr. Paganini?  The first contains a series of recordings on several different well-known concert grand pianos (Bechstein, Fazioli, Steinway, etc.).  The second features, logically, a series of fine violins (Stradivarius, Guarneri, and so on.)  In the first album, a short, jazz-influenced three-movement suite by Boris Blacher is played on five different pianos, followed by selected short pieces on a variety of instruments.  In the second album, a Bach Sarabande is repeated on seven different violins, followed again by various pieces on select instruments.

The fun part is seeing how clearly you can distinguish between the different instruments.  I find the violins easiest due to the relatively limited frequency range.  The pianos are more of a challenge because of the wider, deeper tonality.

I know folks have their favorites tracks and albums for comparing components, but I find these an interesting test because the music is simple and straightforward, allowing you to focus solely on discerning subtle tonal qualities of the various instruments themselves.

I've been testing out some different streamers and cabling, and I found the test the albums offer quite revealing, moreso in many ways than music I'm very familiar with.  It also might inspire you to seek some upgrades depending on how vividly the different instruments come across on your system.