Good Music for testing Audio Equipment
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Mind you that the download from the BandCamp site is not high resolution. The high resolution version is only available at the Sound Liaison site; www.soundliaison.com
Yes indeed.
Btw. her guitar player Folker Tettero has a great funky album out. The DXD download is available via
Sound Liaison.com
But he is selling a Vinyl version on his https://tettero.bandcamp.com/album/tettero-plays-eddie-harris-les-mccann site.
Btw. her guitar player Folker Tettero has a great funky album out. The DXD download is available via
Sound Liaison.com
But he is selling a Vinyl version on his https://tettero.bandcamp.com/album/tettero-plays-eddie-harris-les-mccann site.
I've been evaluating some PCs and interconnects recently. Although I used both LP and Digital sources for critical evaluations, LP was preferred. The 5 LPs that I used almost exclusively for this exercise were
1) Ikuyo Kamiya, Beethoven* ?– Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op 57 "Appassionata" 1977 RCA available at Discogs
This 45 rpm Direct to disc is one of the greatest solo piano recordings ever made. If your system doesn’t reproduce this piano well, no need to do any further evaluation. I have a Steinway Model A my listening room so I’m pretty familiar with what a real piano sounds like.
2) The King's Singers ?– Lollipops, EMI, 1975
Available at Discogs
Terrific for male vocals and soundstage.
3) Ernest Ansermet ?– The Royal Ballet Gala Performances
Original 1958 but remastered by Classic Records and available at Analog Productions
Analogue Productions ?– APC 6065,
Arguable the greatest RCA Living Stereo releases among many. A reference for symphonic music, dynamics, and soundstage.
4) Soulution Audio Reference Disc
Spectacular recording, but “Mating dance” on side 1 is a reference for drums, bass and dynamics. There is also an outstanding chamber piece (Scherzo) and choral (O clarissa mater) among many others fine selections.
Available at
http://www.elusivedisc.com/Soulution-Spectacular-Reference-Disc-180g-LP/productinfo/TMILP9014/
5) Cantate Domino; Torsten Nilsson, Marianne Mellnäs, Alf Linder ?– Proprius ?– PROP 7762
The original was released in 1976 but there have been many remasters. All are excellent
Country: Sweden Released: 1980
This LP should need no introduction as it has been a reference disc for years for choral, soundstage, and female solo voice.
Stille Nacht and Mariae Wiegenlied are two of my favorite “go-to” tracks.
1) Ikuyo Kamiya, Beethoven* ?– Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op 57 "Appassionata" 1977 RCA available at Discogs
This 45 rpm Direct to disc is one of the greatest solo piano recordings ever made. If your system doesn’t reproduce this piano well, no need to do any further evaluation. I have a Steinway Model A my listening room so I’m pretty familiar with what a real piano sounds like.
2) The King's Singers ?– Lollipops, EMI, 1975
Available at Discogs
Terrific for male vocals and soundstage.
3) Ernest Ansermet ?– The Royal Ballet Gala Performances
Original 1958 but remastered by Classic Records and available at Analog Productions
Analogue Productions ?– APC 6065,
Arguable the greatest RCA Living Stereo releases among many. A reference for symphonic music, dynamics, and soundstage.
4) Soulution Audio Reference Disc
Spectacular recording, but “Mating dance” on side 1 is a reference for drums, bass and dynamics. There is also an outstanding chamber piece (Scherzo) and choral (O clarissa mater) among many others fine selections.
Available at
http://www.elusivedisc.com/Soulution-Spectacular-Reference-Disc-180g-LP/productinfo/TMILP9014/
5) Cantate Domino; Torsten Nilsson, Marianne Mellnäs, Alf Linder ?– Proprius ?– PROP 7762
The original was released in 1976 but there have been many remasters. All are excellent
Country: Sweden Released: 1980
This LP should need no introduction as it has been a reference disc for years for choral, soundstage, and female solo voice.
Stille Nacht and Mariae Wiegenlied are two of my favorite “go-to” tracks.
Marty, if you recall I had played that Appassionata at your place.
Personally I don't like using that Beethoven Appassionata any more as the main audition LP because it doesn't tell me much. Yes it is quite dynamic and when done right, can sound real, but when it does not sound right, the wrongness does not seem to affect how the other LPs sound. For example, if I hear piano or violin problems in other LPs, they usually extend throughout (mostly) to other LPs. But any problem noted while auditioning this LP does not necessarily extend so. It is too audiophile a master to matter to me. I use it as an extra audition LP, after I have been through the main ones.
Also, based on LP demos from the general, I have added more originals, and then some audiophile reissues, as they give different flavors.
In other news, I have become quite an admirer of the Soulution 720 preamp (they must have moved on from there). I haven't had a proper compare of the power amp to comment
Personally I don't like using that Beethoven Appassionata any more as the main audition LP because it doesn't tell me much. Yes it is quite dynamic and when done right, can sound real, but when it does not sound right, the wrongness does not seem to affect how the other LPs sound. For example, if I hear piano or violin problems in other LPs, they usually extend throughout (mostly) to other LPs. But any problem noted while auditioning this LP does not necessarily extend so. It is too audiophile a master to matter to me. I use it as an extra audition LP, after I have been through the main ones.
Also, based on LP demos from the general, I have added more originals, and then some audiophile reissues, as they give different flavors.
In other news, I have become quite an admirer of the Soulution 720 preamp (they must have moved on from there). I haven't had a proper compare of the power amp to comment
Well, frankly I do not "use" this LP, but love listening to it. I really like lkuyo's rendition and having it as a great recording is a plus for me.
Can you let us know which lp's do you listen to and what do you look for on these lp's. You love to audition, that is why I am interested.
Hi, I use a mix of non reissues (decca, RCA, EMI, harmonia mundi), and reissues. The former is more important to me.
The mix also goes across solo instruments to orchestra. And of course all audition LPs should have the audition segment easily accessible.
You will see a lot of them mentioned in Tang's report. I will update my audition recordings list later too lazy to put up pics and names over the phone. But for piano specifically, for a low cost, you will be safe picking up any nice Brendel or Richter performance on Philips, and the Rubinstein RCA (US) emperor. If you are not traveling like I do, and trying only at home, you can also try some expensive, verticut ones (ortofon lyrec and other tubed recordings). These have more natural tone and higher dynamic range. The General will have to be your purchase source here. All these will show you much more relevant (Extrapolatable) information as compared to a very audiophile mastered LP which becomes very specific to that LP.
Finally, you can add some monos, and RIAA vs non RIAA. I think the best analog systems are set up for monos and overlaid with stereo, though these auditions are less relevant to many.
The mix also goes across solo instruments to orchestra. And of course all audition LPs should have the audition segment easily accessible.
You will see a lot of them mentioned in Tang's report. I will update my audition recordings list later too lazy to put up pics and names over the phone. But for piano specifically, for a low cost, you will be safe picking up any nice Brendel or Richter performance on Philips, and the Rubinstein RCA (US) emperor. If you are not traveling like I do, and trying only at home, you can also try some expensive, verticut ones (ortofon lyrec and other tubed recordings). These have more natural tone and higher dynamic range. The General will have to be your purchase source here. All these will show you much more relevant (Extrapolatable) information as compared to a very audiophile mastered LP which becomes very specific to that LP.
Finally, you can add some monos, and RIAA vs non RIAA. I think the best analog systems are set up for monos and overlaid with stereo, though these auditions are less relevant to many.
Have to respectfully disagree Ked. Yes, you were the one that turned me on to this recording, and a great recording it is. But if this doesn't sound like piano, sorry, something is wrong. I'm glad kodomo liked the playing. From my perspective it's not what I would consider a world class performance and is plagued by quite a few errors. But oh, what sound.
If you like the 720 preamp, you'll probably love the 725. The same is true for the 700 series amp in comparison to the newer 701/711 and 511 series. In the 725 pre and the 701/711/511 they are using a very different power supply which has dramatically changed the sound for the better. The 720/700 was considered more analytic sounding compared to the current lines (using the new PS,) which have quite a nice amount of triode flavor with great timbre and musiclity combined with unlimited power and dynamics.
That record is too heart beat raising. Ked came to my place and took a liberty to go through records the General sent me while I was in meetings. He found this one just as good but less showoff. Not a piano though. He told me not to show it in WBF until he has bought it. He should have bought it by now. So here it is.
Kind regards,
Tang
That record is too heart beat raising. Ked came to my place and took a liberty to go through records the General sent me while I was in meetings. He found this one just as good but less showoff. Not a piano though. He told me not to show it in WBF until he has bought it. He should have bought it by now. So here it is.
View attachment 45750
Kind regards,
Tang
Lol - that Harpsichord. I did mention it in your report Tang, when not heard with the Stradivarius, the Harpsichord sounds like the top half has been cut off. It is an amazing test but in most cases it will fail and not show the brilliant highs and strikes unless the cart is something similar to a Strad.
Unless you have heard it not shaved off before, you might not even realize that. The Strad, Opus and ZYX can do highs without cut off that you correctly said.
Tang
Frederick Fennel conducting the Dallas Wind Ensemble on Reference Recordings label. People with small speakers should not even bother trying to play this at the Conductors level, as it will just bottom out most wimpy woofers. Been using this demo track to destroy woofers up to 18 inches in diameter for years. I always challenge the owner's though and let them be in control of the volume so that they don't blame it on me.
Check this!
New one mic recording with Carmen Gomes from Sound Liaison....absolutely amazing...superb sound stage.
This really sounds as if the band is standing in my living room. And the music is gorgeous.
https://www.soundliaison.com/
New one mic recording with Carmen Gomes from Sound Liaison....absolutely amazing...superb sound stage.
This really sounds as if the band is standing in my living room. And the music is gorgeous.
If you listen to Soundcloud (you should), then I recommend this track. All of his tracks sound great though.
Sounds like it was recorded with only two mics and with minimal processing. The cello is to the left, in a large space, easily visualized in three dimensions, and there are countless colors and tones.
I love this recording.
Sounds like it was recorded with only two mics and with minimal processing. The cello is to the left, in a large space, easily visualized in three dimensions, and there are countless colors and tones.
I love this recording.
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Yes I agree fantastic download.Check this!
New one mic recording with Carmen Gomes from Sound Liaison....absolutely amazing...superb sound stage.
This really sounds as if the band is standing in my living room. And the music is gorgeous.
https://www.soundliaison.com/
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