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Any song recommendations for testing purposes?

Hi y'all,

So me and my pal came up with an idea about testing our own " streaming system " and see which is better, but yeah ofc, there can only be one variable, otherwise the test wouldn't be fair, no?
we decided to only change the streamer/player in each test, well luckily, my friend who happens to be an ultimate PC Hi-Fi fanatic, so the test itself which became rather easy haha, equipment-wise for sure.

Last Sunday, we were just chilling in my living room and chitchatting, he said he wanted to listen to some new modern pop song, so I played Shiver by Ed Sheeran, and he said the dynamics don't seem quite enough, I was like what the heck do you mean, and he said his system could present more details in the music than mine, anyways, so I brought my streamer over to his place, and would like to have a competition hahaha.

As I mentioned, he's a PC Hi-Fi dude, so he's done a lot modifications and all that upgrade stuff to his PC, so he used USB port to connect to his DAC and the rest to play the same song, Shiver by Ed, well truth to be told, I also thought the dynamics weren't quite sufficient as well lol, ofc he said my perception was biased bc he judged my system first, thus, we both agreed to play some more complicated tracks, like classic genre or something, however, both of us aren't that much of a elegant music admirer I'd say, which I sincerely hope you guys can share some nice songs with me!!!

BTW, we both played TIDAL via Roon, the only difference is just he used PC, I used Munich M1T, no network switch or linear power supply attached.

Best,

preston8452
jonwatches1
125 posts
 

@jrbirdman333 + 1

Write down maybe 20 song you love and know “note for note”, and then figure out which ones were decently recorded in the first instance. And not every track has to be of first-tier quality, because one is listening for differences. 10 diverse songs is a plenty good start

Here are a few I like:

+ Mannish Boy, Muddy Waters from “Hard Again”. Spooky good

+ Song Remains the Same

+ Mining for Gold, Cowboy Junkies

+ Heroes, Peter Gabriel (his cover is great, and amazingly recorded)

+ I Try, Macy Gray from “Stripped” - a Chesky recording

+ Bach Cello Suites, first three passages (try the Jason Starker recording)

+ Bach Goldberg Variation, first three passages (Glenn Gould)

+ Sad But True, Metallica

+ Get Down, Nas (no idea about the recording, it’s just awesome)

+ Anything on Beggar’s Banquet (there is a lot of detail in those songs that comes alive with better and better systems)

+ Count Basie, Live at the Sands (what a record. Just so damn BIG)

Covers a lot of ground, sonically. If you’re looking for something in a specific genre, let us know - always a fun question to think about

Let us know what you decide!

Have a great day

 

jimijam
59 posts
 

Jethro Tull Aqualung MFSL  or Lou Reed Transformer Speaker corner

daveinpa
12 posts
 

Michael Jackson’s human nature on the thriller album has these weird glockenspiels playing ever so slightly in the background. Only with a good resolving system can you hear them and the better the system the more clear they are. 
 

id also throw out Fleetwood Mac rumors and any other album recorded at sun studio in LA in the seventies. For whatever reason they all sound freaking awesome SQ wise. 

beasmooth1
9 posts
 

Aja by Steely Dan. Better pick well recorded albums though, as many have said a lot sound terrible.

 I was at the Hotel California over tour and it did sound good, but I'm not sure great.

Actually just about anything by Steely Dan will let you know.

Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds, isn't a bad test either.

Cat Steven's Tea for the Tillerman is also a good choice.

starlightdiamond
42 posts
 

When I demonstrated Dali speakers back in the 80's we always played Michael Jackson's THRILLER. Now I would use Dire Straits IN THE GALLERY or SWITCH BLADE KNIFE, also Tony Joe White's album HOODOO for bass lines.

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