5 System Test Tracks

nc42acc

nc42acc

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I am sure this has been beaten more than a dead mule but humor me and lets go again. Your top 5 tracks you use to evaluate a system or tracks that are your regular go-to tracks you listen to. We all have those tracks that really bring out the best in your personal system or you know so well you can use to evaluate a new system or added piece of gear.
 
That is tough to answer. I evaluate different instruments, especially with Piano and Acoustic Guitar with many different tracks and artists. Piano is so hard to get right.

I use other tracks for treble, bass and percussion. Also for midrange tone and texture, sound stage, scale, air and transparency, vocal music, RR, Jazz and instrumental music.

I am going to have to sleep on this one.
 
How about 10? I have a Genesis loudspeaker set-up process that I teach my dealers. Each track having a defined purpose and what to look (listen?) out for and is a step-by-step process for system set-up. Although oriented towards loudspeaker set-up, some of the tracks (if you can find the LP version) can also be used to optimize turntable set-up.

1. A Song For You, Jacintha from FIM SuperSounds I but also available on Groove Note
2. Peace in the Heart, Chic Street Man from FIM SuperSounds III
3. La Campanella, Minoru Nojima from Nojima Plays Liszt Reference Recordings
4. Pachelbel - Canon in D, All Star Percussion Ensemble (taken from FIM: This is K2HS Sound)
5. Vivaldi Concerti con molto Strumenti RV560, Ensemble Matheus
6. Hernando’s Hideaway, Ros on Broadway, FIM
7. Sway, Michael Gold, FIM
8. Don’t Crash the Ambulance, Shangri-La, Mark Knopfler
9. Moonglow, Happy Coat, Shota Osabe Piano Trio, FIM
10. No Sanctuary Here, Roadhouses and Automobiles, Chris Jones, Stockfisch Records

Much more information on each track in the white paper here:
www.genesisloudspeakers.com

White Papers and Newsletters | Genesis Advanced Technologies | United States

White Papers and Newsletters by our Designer and CEO, Gary Leonard Koh
www.genesisloudspeakers.com www.genesisloudspeakers.com
 
The Luxury HiFi Distribution Playlist on QoBuz is all of the test tracks we use to evaluate new gear or potential gear.

Florian calls it “audiophile bullshit music.”

He’s not wrong, although I don’t think my Gordon Lightfoot records are good for testing out equipment.
 
For evaluating acoustic guitar I use Nils Lofgren "Keith Don't go", Jim Kimo West and a few other artists
Piano- George Winston Autumn Album "Colors Dance", And a few other artists
Bass and percussion-Massive Attack "Angel" and from the album Master of Chinese Percussion "Poem Of Chinese Drum"
Female Vocals-Eva Cassidy "Stormy Monday", Monica Mancini "Skylark" and several others
Air, transparency, sound stage and micro details- A sound Liaison album- "Batik" and several others
 
Thank you for your list everyone. This is a great way I learn about new music. Most audiophiles have great taste in music. With streaming services just a simple search and you are listening.
 
I too use that Sara Bareilles album and song to evaluate a system. Several years ago at Axpona. We walked into the Bricasti-Tidal speaker room and Yellow Brick Road was playing and the piano sounded so real and holographic. It was floating in air. It was the best room at the show along with the Vinnie Rossi Harbeth room.
 
Mechnutt said:
I too use that Sara Bareilles album and song to evaluate a system. Several years ago at Axpona. We walked into the Bricasti-Tidal speaker room and Yellow Brick Road was playing and the piano sounded so real and holographic. It was floating in air. It was the best room at the show along with the Vinnie Rossi Harbeth room.
Click to expand...
I can't find that CD on Amazon or HD Tracks. I find that a frequent problem with lists of favorites. Often the CDs are not readily available. I did hear a couple of MP3 tracks from that CD via Amazon. They made me want to leave the room screaming.
 
Dizzie said:
I can't find that CD on Amazon or HD Tracks. I find that a frequent problem with lists of favorites. Often the CDs are not readily available. I did hear a couple of MP3 tracks from that CD via Amazon. They made me want to leave the room screaming.
Click to expand...

I bought mine as a digital download from

www.hdtracks.com

HDtracks | You can hear the difference. Listen on the go in master studio quality.

HDtracks is a high-resolution music platform for music lovers to download their favorite tracks in master studio quality. Join us today for the ultimate listening experience!
www.hdtracks.com www.hdtracks.com
 
Beck 'Lost cause" for tweeter resolution
Doobie brothers 'for someone special' another mid and high fq test
Two feet 'Feel like playing guitar & not singing' electric bass
Morphine 'Buena' acoustic bass
Flora Cash 'Missing home' soundstage & imaging
Dave Mathews band
This stuff is the type of music I listen to 75-80% of the time and they're well recorded. I've got a few 'select cd's' from Naim, B&W and others I don't have a reference to really learn about the gear Im auditioning
 
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