For imaging and soundstage width, I use Madonna's Immaculate Collection CD. This CD will put sound around you in 180 degrees on some tracks, especially "Vogue". On my system the sound is 6-8 feet outside the speaker boundaries and the depth reaches out to directly left and right of your ears, as well as 5-6 feet back behind the speakers. Almost like surround sound from stereo!
For female voice, I use Joni Mitchell "Hits" with the song "Urge for Going". The guitars aren't mixed too great, but the vocal is extremely natural and imaged rock solid center. You could swear she is right there in front of you. Another good one is Sarah Brightman "La Luna". At the end of the CD, after the last track is done, wait about 15-20 seconds, and there is another song that is not listed on the CD or the liner notes. It is "Moon River" and it is a killer rendition. Very short but very sweet. She is right there in the room. You can hear every movement of her mouth.
Male vocals I use Willie Nelson "Stardust". Very good recording. I have the LP for that.
I have just mentioned on a new thread I put up about Orff's Carmina Burana becoming a new reference recording for many aspects of sound. Parliament LP PLP (S) 161. A real torture test for a turntable system and great sounding perfromance and recording.
Manhattan Transfer "Vocalese" is a great recording for following 4 part harmonic vocals in jazz "scat" type arrangements. You can always hear all 4 singers no matter how frantic the song, if the system is up to it.
For female voice, I use Joni Mitchell "Hits" with the song "Urge for Going". The guitars aren't mixed too great, but the vocal is extremely natural and imaged rock solid center. You could swear she is right there in front of you. Another good one is Sarah Brightman "La Luna". At the end of the CD, after the last track is done, wait about 15-20 seconds, and there is another song that is not listed on the CD or the liner notes. It is "Moon River" and it is a killer rendition. Very short but very sweet. She is right there in the room. You can hear every movement of her mouth.
Male vocals I use Willie Nelson "Stardust". Very good recording. I have the LP for that.
I have just mentioned on a new thread I put up about Orff's Carmina Burana becoming a new reference recording for many aspects of sound. Parliament LP PLP (S) 161. A real torture test for a turntable system and great sounding perfromance and recording.
Manhattan Transfer "Vocalese" is a great recording for following 4 part harmonic vocals in jazz "scat" type arrangements. You can always hear all 4 singers no matter how frantic the song, if the system is up to it.