Using Bad Recording to Evaluate a System

You're doing it the right way. I have done this in the past, too, brought recordings that I kknow are harsh. They can reveal harshnesses in a system when you only have a few hours to evaluate a bunch of equipment. There is much high-end equipment that is harsh sounding in and of itself. Using only the best recordings will not reveal this. You will figure it out eventually, when you get home and live with the stuff for a while (then we'll see it here for sale). I agree with Arni - the very best equipment makes great recordings sound their best, but also allows poor recordings to be listenable. Many of the components I have heard seem to be a trade-o0ff between harshness and resolution - the more resolving, the harsher the sound. I don't think this has to be the case, and I'm trying to find the exceptions to the rule.
Be honest to yourself about what your goals really are. If you are more interested inthe gear than the music, that's cool. Many people collect watches, cars, etc., not because they make great timekeepers or transportation, but because they are fascinated by the technology and artistry that went into each piece. HiFi is no different, and if that's your goal, fine. But if yo0u just want to hear your favorite music the best way possible, then you must test equipment with that music. When a snotty salesman questions you, just explain with complete confidence what you're doing. Tell him flat out that only a fool would buy a system based only on audiophile recordings. Tell him there are a lot of high-end pretenders out there, and that you're into iot for the music, not the gear (if that's your goal). I find this is the ultimate elitist move. No audiophile seems willing to argue against the "it's all about the music" thing; by saying this, you've outsnobbed him, and now he has to admit you're right.

any great loudspeaker plays pretty much everything well. you have just exposed a poorly designed loudspeaker. you are right to do what you did. many will disagree but, but virtually most of the music worth owning is a far cry from audiophileville

I take along the music I listen to and enjoy which includes good and not so good recording quality. While it would be nice if all recordings were of equal high quality...it ain't gonna happen.

I think that many audiophiles go through the AUDIOPHILE phase at some time in their learning process...at least I did. In this phase recording quality and components become much more important to the audiophile than the music...it can be a somewhat confusing time to go through.

At home, I sometimes dip into my bag of tricks...tone controls!, works wonders on some of my early rock recordings.

Dave

Really good, well balanced systems shouldn't make a poorly recorded albums sound unlistenable, they should just expose them as over EQed, heavily compressed, noisy, no soundstage, obviously faked reverb, sloppily edited, etc. It should show the flaws, but not highlight them. If your system sounds brutal on tons of records, then something is wrong with your system.

Sogood51 makes a good point about tone controls. Your system should serve your music collection, not the other way around.

I had a very similar experience at a hi-end shop. When the owner asked me why I would use the particular cd to demo his speakers I said "if I can't enjoy this cd then these speakers are no good to me." He had no problem with this concept. I've owned several components and speakers that rendered certain cds unlistenable. In fact I once converted my music system to home theatre and it took me six months or so to realize I wasn't listening to music. Why? Because it sounded crappy. I don't think it's impossible to build a system that sounds good with poorly recorded music and audiophile recordings. I see it as a labor of love.