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Best Test CD

I'm not talking about Music CD's per se but if one fits the bill that can test a systems performance then include it. I'm more interested in the test CD's from Chesky, Stereophile, Sound & Vision, etc. that help a person evaluate their own system and also to compare systems in the shop. Also, if it helps to calibrate speakers it would be a great plus. I haven't found one cd that has a great selection of music and good calibration tests.

My vote is for Chesky's test cd #2 for music and tutorials. Great disc to learn audiophile terms and how they relate to actual recorded music(transparency, holographic imaging, soundstage, are just a few topics covered). Great selection of tracks (Sara K, Ana Caram, Rebecca Pidgeon, Chuck Magione, piano tracks, drum solos, some great stuff). For pure calibration of system including video and surround systems, nothing beats the AVIA dvd and a ratshack SPL meter.
jmanaoisbd97
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Chesky test disks are great, how ever I prefer Shefield it does all sorts of wonderful technical things, that have absolutly NO enjoyment to them, but it accomplishes a few tasks very well. Though the Chesky disks have a great stage depth track on them, which shefields "My Disk" doesn't have. ~Tim
mhubbard
86 posts
 
I recommend using well recorded music that you are familiar with already. You should listen for details and dynamics that were not detected on your current system.

If you listen to music, shouldn't you test with music?
budrew
467 posts
 
Listen to the music you will listen to at home. If it sounds good, it is good. Unless of course you listen to test tones while making dinner or at dinner parties. Then test with that. When I look at a painting I ask, does it it move me, not what are the light-fast qualities of the pigments. Likewise for music; how does it sound to your ears... Let it sound right to you, not according to some technician's yard stick.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
The test CDs you mentioned are mainly for system calibration. You need different music to fully evaluate a system. These are what I used when I was shopping for speakers.

1. Master of Chinese Percussion track 1, The Poem of Drums – this is a 10 minus not-stop action of drums in different sizes. This is the one CD that separates men from boys in bass reproduction.
2. Audiophile Reference IV SACD, First Impression Music – This is a dual layer hybrid SACD and HDCD that can be played on regular CD players. It contains 16 tracks of music of all kinds; including jazz, solo instruments, chamber music, vocal, cello, violin, etc, all extremely well recorded and very musical. If you can play all these tracks well, you have a pretty decent system.
3. Fanfare for the Common Man, Reference Recording – A well recorded orchestra piece. Great for evaluating sound staging, and dynamic.
4. Lang Lang Live at Seiji Ozawa Hall SACD, Telarc – Piano is one of the most difficult instruments to reproduce well. I used to test system with other piano music until recently I discover this dual layer hybrid SACD.

I hope this helps.
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