What selections do you play when showing off your system to others?

I agree with the sentiments written by @millercarbon and others: let the listener choose. If a music selection is not increasing brain [dopamine], your guest will not enjoy the listening session. Worse yet, if they actually dislike the music playing, they will find an excuse to leave the room and quietly, or openly, question the wisdom behind your expensive hobby! If it was just about the sound quality, I wish I could play, “The Power And The Majesty” recording of the steam train! I heard it once, over 40 years ago, at an audio store in Richmond, VA. Have a great day!

Temptation - Diana Krall

Spooky - David Sanborn

On the Beach - Chris Rea

I Can't Tell You Why - Diana Krall

The Look of Love - Diana Krall

A Venture - Yes

It Keeps You Runnin - Doobie Bros

I usually ask what they like and try to start off with a taste of that. Maybe a couple tracks and then throw in a few pieces that really perform!   Maybe Supertramp, “School” from Crime of the Century (either HiRez digital or the record).  Maybe Yes, “Roundabout” Fragile, from HiRez dsf./SACD file.  Maybe some Neil Young “Comes a Tome “ or “Look Out for My Love” off Comes A Time from analog remaster vinyl.  Sting “Island of Souls” from Soul Cages, 44.1 digital.  Black Crows “She Talks to Angels” off Shake Your Money Maker, 44.1 digital file.  Genesis “Firth of Fifth” off Selling England by the Pound”, dsf./SACD digital file. Jesse Cook “Beyond Boarders” off Beyond Boarders 44.1 digital file.  And whatever else they like. 
 

Of course I don’t play all these for everyone but just choose some tracks that the person may like.  Doesn’t work if they hate the band or type of music.  But sometimes the music they like is a terrible recording.  Most of my friends aren’t really into classical much but maybe a little jazz or progressive rock, classic rock and varied other styles.  I’m not stocked up on county or Nashville stuff.  Sorry.  Everyone has a different taste!  So try to play to they’re taste if the recordings are good. 

I used to play Sinaed O’ Connor doing a pretty much acoustic cover of Nirvana’s All Apologies for people. I personally found it to be realistically intimate and close up and revealing and for that reason it mesmerized me. It didn’t seem to have that effect on those I played it for, however. The Highway Men covering Steve Earle’s The Devil’s Right Hand was another one I liked to play, because I thought the sound-stage (the placement of the four vocalists) came through quite well (plus I thought it was just a lot of fun listening to those guys doing those lyrics). Probably another one I flopped out on.

@immatthewj

He is the one that got me started down this destructive trail, but where his main thing is HT, I diverged and became obsessed (with obsessed being a relative term) with two channel audio.

I’ve always been more of a 2 channel stereo fan myself but I can definitely see myself moving over to Home Theatre sometime in the future. A large TV without high quality sound is far less immersive.

@rafevw

Worse yet, if they actually dislike the music playing, they will find an excuse to leave the room and quietly, or openly, question the wisdom behind your expensive hobby!

I’ve never had anyone openly question the wisdom of my hobby (apart from my wife but she doesn’t count - she knew what she was marrying into), but yes I’ve felt those vibes on more than one occasion.

Shall we say it’s a slightly uncomfortable feeling?

That’s why it’s always best to be a little diplomatic if a friend asks you how their system sounds. You don’t have to lie, just choose your words carefully.