I agree with the gist of Blbloom's post, but I would like to elaborate. While I agree that it is certainly important and fun to test a system' abilities in the areas of bass, soundstaging etc.; the more elusive aspects of a system's capabilities are what ultimately define a great system for me. Those things, for me, are usually found in the area of dynamics; microdynamics specifically. If a system is good at reproducing microdynamic info then it can reproduce the expressive qualities of a performer. The tiny little swells or violent crescendos that a performer or say, a string section in an orchestra makes while phrasing, make all the difference in determining wether a recorded performance is good or not. Most systems in my experience, even very expensive ones, when asked to reproduce this info (assuming it is there to begin with) fail this test miserably. Some of my favorite test recordings are: the finale to Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" Solti and Chicago S. on Decca; if the almost manic feel of the string section playing at a tempo that is probably too fast is not obvious, then the system is not happening. Just about any recording of Marriner conducting Bach with the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, preferably on Argo; whoever said that classical music doesn't swing?, Sonny Rollins "The Bridge"; this recording is in most respects as far removed from audiophile standards as you can get. Mono, a little grainy, but man does it capture Rollins' amazing ability to grab a rhythm section by the balls. Amazing and pretty rare for a horn player. Most horn players, even many of the greats, play TO or WITH the rhythm section; Sonny feels like he IS the rhythm section. Dexter Gordon "Sophisticated Giant"; Dexter always had a tendency to play behind the beat, in his later recordings it became so exagerated that the tension created was unconfortable and almost painfull to listen to. The system should be able to reproduce this tension without sounding confused. Another recording that I like to use is Bill Evans "Waltz for Debbie"; this recording captures the "sound" of The Vanguard really well. After having been to the Vanguard many times over the years, including to hear Evans himself; I find that if a system can reproduce the distinctive sound of this club, then it's probably pretty good tonally in the more general sense. A musician acquaintance and colleague likes to point out that "no one (musician) ever got fired for having bad sound". Perhpas a bit of an exageration, but what he means is that solid rhythm and expressiveness are of paramount importance. Cheers.
