Recommendations for really well-recorded music for high-end audio system demo


I’m using my system to give some local high-end audio demos for fun, and although I have a good selection of tracks I can always use more and am sure you guys have some great ones out there.  First and foremost I’m looking for really well-recorded material that shows off what a good system can do — you know, the “wow your friends” tracks we all have, and if it happens to be good/fun music as well that’s a nice bonus although not necessarily a requirement.  I’d recommend listing the artist, album, and track so it’s easier to find the right version, and if you feel like elaborating on anything notable that makes it particularly good for a demo that’d be helpful/interesting but not necessary.  As an example…

  • Patricia Barber, Companion, “Like JT” — Great live jazz club vibe, fun instrumental with excellent imaging/depth/3D soundstage.

Thanks for anything ya got!

soix

Bow Wow Wow "I want Candy" from

Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack vinyl

Dynamic, powerful, bouncy fun. Quiet vinyl, great pressing.  Play it Loud!

The entire Toto/Mindfields album.  Very extraordinarily recorded work.  Will knock your socks off.  Ultra dynamic.

Tom Petty

Shadow People. 

Opening is mellow and open, breakdown in middle with great cymbals, bell like sounds, very subtle parts that are lost on lesser systems. Then it breaks into a full rock sound with crunchy guitar and drums. Great reverb trail.

Sarah Jarosz 

Lost Dog.

Female vocals, beautiful instrumental arrangement, great atmospheric sound.