What music do you use to audition equipment/cables

Audience applause? Well, if someone can distinguish male and female applause, then it is a hell of a recording and a hell of a system. That's one of the things that the old- timer meant, I am sure. He was right.

I use a number of tracks, but one that always works is----Low Spark of High Heeled Boys---Traffic

Very strong suggestions as above guys.

Mine- Jamie Cullum- twentysomething CD/SACD, Verve 2004.

play the whole album to get its "feel" The best track "Frontin'" also the last track wraps up a sweet listening session, IMO.

Keep me posted & Happy Listening!

@Chrshanl37- you're confused. Everyone else seems to understand...

@Schubert- interesting re: audience...What are your findings?

"If something can't reproduce the lovely harmonic interplay Of Thea's Clarinet with the Gabriela Qt strings its nothing I want."
This is exactly my approach but with different music.

For me it's tracks from At Action Park by Shellac & Psychic Maps by Dysrhythmia.
I think auditioning equipment using only very simple stripped down tracks does not allow you to discover its capabilities.

I like to start with solo guitar, solo piano, gradually adding complexity. I want something that works well for classical chamber and jazz combos and is pretty good with a rock band or full orchestra. I think it's good to mix well-recorded and so-so productions since I'm going to be listening to both. I've used Ashkenazy/Beethoven, Miles Davis (stereo), pop tunes such as You are the Sunshine of my Life, Sweet Dreams (Patsy Cline), Aaron Neville's version of Save the Last Dance and especially Joan Baez' medley of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair and Danny Boy.