A superb recording for really everything imo is Kieth Richards' 'Talk Is Cheap'. Also Dylan's 'Oh Mercy' and 'UTRS'. Throw in Roger Waters' 'Radio Kaos', 'Pro's and Cons', and 'Final Cut'.
Test music for new gear
As I am testing out a new DAC I realized that there are a few songs that I use to test out all of my new gear when I get it. Speakers, preamp, amps, tranports, turntable (when I have the vinyl), DAC....
Here we go:
High end coherence (does it play high and clear):
Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away"
Berlin Philharmonic "Magic Flute" Queen of the Night Mezzosaprano Solo
Pink Floyd "Eclipse" - very layered, tough track for all gear
Midrange, voices et al:
Tierney Sutton "What'll I do"
Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire"
Elton John "Take Me to the Pilot"
Bass Extension, how low can you go, but fast:
Pink Floyd "Speak to Me"
Alice in Chains "Would"
Miles Davis "So What"
SLAM!! enough said:
Jackson Brown "Dr My Eyes"
Velvet Revolver "Slither"
Pink Floyd "Happiest Days of our Lives/Another Brick in the Wall"
Overall, top to bottom response:
Toni Braxton "You're Making Me High"
really shows any flaws from bass speed and extension to how well the highs are handled. Great test song.
Here we go:
High end coherence (does it play high and clear):
Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away"
Berlin Philharmonic "Magic Flute" Queen of the Night Mezzosaprano Solo
Pink Floyd "Eclipse" - very layered, tough track for all gear
Midrange, voices et al:
Tierney Sutton "What'll I do"
Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire"
Elton John "Take Me to the Pilot"
Bass Extension, how low can you go, but fast:
Pink Floyd "Speak to Me"
Alice in Chains "Would"
Miles Davis "So What"
SLAM!! enough said:
Jackson Brown "Dr My Eyes"
Velvet Revolver "Slither"
Pink Floyd "Happiest Days of our Lives/Another Brick in the Wall"
Overall, top to bottom response:
Toni Braxton "You're Making Me High"
really shows any flaws from bass speed and extension to how well the highs are handled. Great test song.