Most importantly, I agree with those above who suggest listening with music that you are intimately familar with, warts and all, is the best way to test components. I have ordinary recordings with various borderline problems that I can use to judge components - if the problems are over emphasized or not existent I've ID'd a problem. I use about 5 different CD's for evaluation, none of the made for equipment evaluation! The problem with evaluation of any equipment outside of your own home is that even when you hear something that you think is a problem you really don't know what component is responsible for the problem unless you are intimately familar with the other products in the chain. Thats why home evaluation in really manditory.
However, assuming that perhaps you have not been at this long enuf to assemble recordings which would help you I have a recommendation, if you can find it: "Depth of Image" by Opus 3. Its on CD and LP. This record contains a dozen or more cuts of various kinds of instruments/groupings/vocals etc, all recorded using a simple mic' set up and each cut has a description of what you should hear when you play the cut. And if you can't hear what you should when you play the disc you either have a set up that needs work or you need changes in your system. It can be humbling, especially for those who think they have a great set up already. It is the only test recording I have ever found of any value (other than used for establishing frequency response using test tones and if that is your goal, get a Rives test CD and a Radio Shack meter).
Oh, and I would never use a disc that I had any real emotional attachment to - if I do I just start listening to the music not the sound. Ditto SOTA recordings - hell they will sound good on a lot of junk but give you the impression that its great.
However, assuming that perhaps you have not been at this long enuf to assemble recordings which would help you I have a recommendation, if you can find it: "Depth of Image" by Opus 3. Its on CD and LP. This record contains a dozen or more cuts of various kinds of instruments/groupings/vocals etc, all recorded using a simple mic' set up and each cut has a description of what you should hear when you play the cut. And if you can't hear what you should when you play the disc you either have a set up that needs work or you need changes in your system. It can be humbling, especially for those who think they have a great set up already. It is the only test recording I have ever found of any value (other than used for establishing frequency response using test tones and if that is your goal, get a Rives test CD and a Radio Shack meter).
Oh, and I would never use a disc that I had any real emotional attachment to - if I do I just start listening to the music not the sound. Ditto SOTA recordings - hell they will sound good on a lot of junk but give you the impression that its great.