What is the One Test Track That Tells You Almost Everything About A System?

The “one” track?

One of many I use/play is Michael Hedges’ “Aerial Boundaries,” from an original 1984 Windham Hill LP, WH-1032

Having seen him play this on several occasions and played the LP a few dozen times since ‘84 I have a good sense of how it SHOULD sound “in real life.”

The LP is a good cut. If the system can reproduce the little detail sounds he managed to squeeze out of the neck of that guitar including the depth of bass notes, harmonics and “soundstage” I’ll go on to play other things.

Other things? Jeff Beck’s “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” Epic, PE 3409

YMMV.

"High Life" on Jazz at the Pawnshop. Live recording with saxophone, drum, and vibraphone solos.  

"White Bird" by It’s a beautiful Day. Hard rock with violins.

"Keith Don’t Go" on Nils Lofgren Acoustic Live. Superb guitar playing in a lovely space.

"The Lemon Song" on Led Zeppelin II.

And thanks to everybody for their suggestions. More software to enjoy!

"Nothing Else Matters" by Lissie on Covered Up With Flowers - EP.  Incredible guitar sound and vocal by Lissie.     

I’ve always used “Such a Woman from Neil Young’s Harvest Moon album for its range: rich piano, deep bass, his voice, and at the end gentle cymbals. 
 

And “You Look Good to Me,” Oscar Peterson trio: Ray Brown’s bass slowly bowed then turns into a jazzy pluck; Ed Thigpen’s drums push and pull from slow to rockin’ and of course the piano amidst it all. 
 

Plenty of others but my two go-tos for range, speed and depth.

Notes With Attachment - Pino Palladino

Wood - David Bromberg

Anything from Balthazar or Warhaus

Ty Segall - Love Rudiments (Really good for test the attack and sustain)

Von Spar/Stephen Malkmus - Can's Ege Bamyasi or just listen to the Can's version

CAN - Future Days and Mag Tago Mago - Both of these albums were recorded in the early 70's, but the sound stage and imaging are amazing!

Bill Frisell - East/West - Two albums in a live setting.