tough sounds to reproduce ???

Sean, Actually the 'Days of the New"'s first is a reference quality disc. The 2nd and latest(even though it is HDCD) us not of same quality. Their music is very good. (2nd is the best)Although I don't remember which one has a thunder sound you're referring to. One CD I would like to note here is ' The avalanches's Since I left You. Musically ( essentially a dance genre)this CDs is great in that imagin you are on a cruise, live music is being performed in front of large group of people, the ship is docked, you are near one of the joints and you listen to the music. Very uplifting, noisy, strange, unlike anything you have heard but beautifully put together, such that end effect is you can't stop inbetween and wanna play again and again. Phew!

the tribal drums at the end of the Peter Gabriel song Rythym of the Heat will test many amplifiers and systems - off Peter's 4th album (Security)

as to reproducing musical nuances - yes piano is tough, good way to evaluate cassette tape decks in the old days
percussion can be taxing, and the resonant wood sound of a nice stand up bass can be difficult to do righ ton inferior systems

tom

Stand in the street, right beside a parade that is passing by. Add the sound of twenty or more US Marines marching in perfect cadence and striking their drums in perfect synchronization.

This is so startling that I cannot describe it. The dynamics and overtones went from the extreme highs to well below the pavement and into my bones. I don't think this could even be accurately recorded, much less played back.

sean: if you can find the xrcd2 of "brothers in arms." you'll hear some well-produced thunder. and music.
-kelly

The Female voice singing transitional opera (i.e. a vibratoed note going from soft to loud, etc.). Almost every system I've heard includes an edgy little distortion product that drives me goofy.