Great list. I always bring with me a variety of artists in decent to not so very well recorded CDs. Then if the system plays the not so well recorded CDs well, then you know you've got some great gear. I always bring Joni Mitchell music to hear how well the equipment reproduces lovely soprano voice and how well it brings out her piano. "For the Roses" is an acoustic excellent (more acoustic) test CD for that. Earlier Beatles recordings with minimal bass are also good test CDs. Another important test is how well the system reproduces drum slam. So my short list off the bat would be:
For the Roses, Court & Spark (various cuts)- Joni Mitchell
Anticipation - Carly Simon (great test for drum slam)
Penny Lane - Beatles (Paul's bass is most prominent)
These Days - Jackson Browne (acoustic guitar licks and great vocal harmonies, piano; how well does the gear separate all of these instruments and vocals)?
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture - How well the gear handles the cannons and the brass winds too?
Chain Reaction - The Crusaders
Again, how well equipment reproduces the acoustic piano is always an effective test. I had read that years ago.
For the Roses, Court & Spark (various cuts)- Joni Mitchell
Anticipation - Carly Simon (great test for drum slam)
Penny Lane - Beatles (Paul's bass is most prominent)
These Days - Jackson Browne (acoustic guitar licks and great vocal harmonies, piano; how well does the gear separate all of these instruments and vocals)?
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture - How well the gear handles the cannons and the brass winds too?
Chain Reaction - The Crusaders
Again, how well equipment reproduces the acoustic piano is always an effective test. I had read that years ago.