Good CDs to Test Your System

There aren't any. LP. Records. Now you're talking.

CDs are excellent media. Here are some things which were especially good at revealing what you're asking about:

1. Brian Eno's Apollo CD is excellent. A variety of complicated events, at various points across the left/right soundstage and forward and back are  evident. 

2. Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 6 with Michael Tilson Thomas & the San Francisco Symphony is also rich in these regards.

3. The Nordic 2L recording of Ives is amazing, too -- and you can find it as a free download. Instruments left, right, forward, back, loud, medium, quiet. Here are some details: https://www.nativedsd.com/catalogue/albums/2lrr1-the-nordic-sound/

There are demonstration discs made by Cheskey Records. 

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Demonstration-Disc-Critical-Listening/dp/B00PUU10BI

there is series called audiophile voices - runs #1-6, done in asia i think

these are compilation discs of tracks by various artists, but the sound quality is truly outstanding

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/66952?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt4X8BRCPARIsABmcnOrklFz104ZyefDe5PiZR-CI7moZp...

The CDs and vinyls that you enjoy listening to, and listen to frequently, would be the best.

dsper
My reference:Jamie Cullum- Twentysomething (2004) Verve
this CD (also avail on SACD) is recorded in the analog domain circa early 2000's. The dynamics of this Jazz Trio (bass, drums and piano for most tracks) are Outstanding! At the time, these musicians were unknown to  a global audience. This disc will give any system a live workout.
Happy Listening!

Thanks for the hints!

One of my favorites is "High Falls" from the Allman Bros. album "Win, Lose, or Draw". It is a pretty deep track instrumental in the Bros. catalogue. I like it as a test track for many reasons- the synchopated rhythm from dual drummers Butch Trucks and Jamoie Johnson, a keyboard solo by then member of the band Chuck Leavell, a very lyrical guitar solo from Dickie Betts. You get a wide range of tones from all of the instruments as well as subtle nuances from the rhythm section. It fills a room and offers details to be revealed with a good system. 

maxnewid post

Now that is the kind of advice I was hoping to receive!

Thx!

I second the Cheskey Records Ultimate Demo mentioned above. It's specifically made for this. It has songs to test each individual characteristic and covers 90% of what you need. But it is lacking in a couple of areas that I fill in with ...

Metallica's Sad But True is the best for drums. Due to Bob Rock's use of lacquered plywood on specific areas of the wall the drum sounds on the Black album are unique and have a great mixture of direct and reflective sound.

The Cheskey record doesn't really have anything that adequately tests dynamic range, especially on the low end. For that I use the electronic music song Tiger Prowl by Cualli from the album The Monk of Chunk. If you listen very closely it's also a decent song for lateral imaging, but it doesn't have a lot of depth.

And for a mishmash of acoustic instrument imaging I use Doobie Bros Steamer Lane Breakdown.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Demonstration-Disc-Critical-Listening/dp/B00002MXUH/ref=pd_sbs_15_2/...

+2 to Cheskty

There aren't any. LP. Records. Now you're talking.

Okay, so name a couple of good ones that would get at soundstage and depth of field. 

Dsper

dsper
Check out older DCC and MoFi Gold CDs of your fave classic rock titles.
Happy Listening!