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

In general classical is the hardest to reproduce... and I would say and interpret what is good and bad about a component if you are thinking analytically. Because of its complexity. 

I concur regarding classical in general. 

As far as compression/congestion is concerned, symphonic finales/crescendos give one a quick clue as to what a system can and can’t do. The better the symphonic soft passages are reproduced along with the crescendos (sans congestion), without having to increase the volume for the soft passages and decrease for the crescendos, the better the system.

I’ve seen some mention of sibilance (herein & elsewhere) as something to ameliorate.  But I’ve never encountered sibilance either as a negative or a positive.  I’m unsure why not.

Use whatever vocal and instrumental recordings are well recorded and you’re familiar with; to make sure frequency response, harmonics and timber are as close to reproducing the live instrument as possible.

Frequency response, harmonics, timber etc., plus objective measurements are great to get one in the ballpark.  But, in a 2-channel system, they don’t display or measure what’s to me the vitally important 3D illusion of:  you-are-there.  Moving from mid-high-end, to high-end was a move to get the timber and harmonics of instruments correct, but then also to increase/improve the all-important instrument separation/imaging and soundstage.

In general, I’ve found numerous recordings from:

Reference Recordings, Sheffield and Chesky to provide audiophile performances. 

In no particular order, some favorites follow:

• Chesky’s Ultimate Demonstration Disc
• Burmester’s CD III, particularly Hugh Masekela’s (Live): “Stimela”. 
• As others have mentioned, Patrica Barber, Diana Krall provide good demos. 
• Alison Krauss + Union Live, especially Jerry Douglas’ Dobro on: “A Tribute to Peador O’Donnell/Monkey Let the Hogs Out” and “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn”.
• Dr. John’s:  Perdido (from: Duke Elegant) 
• Nils Lofgran’s:  Keith Don’t Go (from: Acoustic Live)
• Diana Krall’s:  Live in Paris album (The Look of Love & ‘S Wonderful)
• The Peter Malick Group (featuring Norah Jones) on:  New York City (from: New York City)
• The Who’s: New York (1971) Record Plant Session
• Audiogon’s Presents the Wake-Up Your Ears Sampler:  Stank & Get Behind the Mule
• 1812 Festival Overature, op. 49 Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (not only for how great a 1958 recording can be, but also for its historic use of West Point cannons and the Rockefeller Memorial Carillon as described is the commentary following the performance.).
• Wynton Marsalis, The Magic Hour:  Feeling of Jazz (when the trumpet kicks-in,wow).  Speaking of a trumpet, Hugh Masekela’s trumpet on the aforementioned Stimela is also a good one.)
• Keb Mo’s:  Every Morning (from Keb’ Mo’) and A Better Man (from Slow Down)
• Erykah Badu’s:  Rimshot (intro) on Baduizm
• John Lee Hooker’s: Healer on the Healer album
• Lyle Lovett’s:  North Dakota (from Joshua Judges Ruth)
• With 100's more....

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ulcerdoc

2nd- Patricia Barber "Nardis".  

Mine is "Frontin'" Jamie Cullum -Twentysomething CD or SACD Verve 2004.

Happy Listening!

I use several different tracks, depending on the age and musical tastes of a person I'm demoing my system to, especially my Audio Concepts ACI,  Sapphire III LE speakers. If they are familiar with Fleetwood Mac I'll put on Go Your Own Way  for their instrument and vocal presentation and any others they know, as these Audio Concepts speakers are very clear and accurate with both, even at higher volumes. Nearly any songs by the Eagles work nicely too.

For more modern country-rock style music I'll select some Midland, like Drinkin' Problem, Mr. Lonely, Playboys and Longneck Way To Go. Also in this style or genre is Brothers Osborne with It Ain't My Fault, All Night, Skeletons and Might As Well Be Me. Some Toby Keith, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Old Dominion work well too.

If anyone is familiar with Latin music, I'll put on some Diego Verdaguer Mala, Tonta and others from Organico album, because of the style of music with so many different vocals and instruments used just come alive.  I'll also select some Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull for mixing up Latin style music. 

If someone likes Reggae, then of course it's Bob Marley, Shaggy, Inner Circle, or some Big Mountain songs to demo.  If it's different types of rock or hard then it's some U2, INXS, ACDC, Ozzy, Nirvana, Aerosmith,  Eric Clapton, etc.

We are regular people, so we have our stereo with my home theater in our open concept living room that is open to our kitchen and dining room, so no special room treatment or positioning away from the wall, just 5.2 surround positioning as best as as we could. We use an older Yamaha AVR with 2 separate older Marantz 5 channel amplifiers to bi-amping our Audio Concepts Sapphire III LE's, so nothing hi-end or very expensive, but nice. Two subwoofers, not matched brand for now, but nicely integrated.

I just enjoy sharing my love of music along with my passion for the smaller, independent speaker manufacturer of Audio Concepts,  Inc ACI speakers, as I grew up with one of their builders, as he was my dad's best friend growing up. 

If you ever have the chance to listen to them, please do so, as they are a great hidden secret in hi-fi speakers. Very hard to find since they retired as a company in 2007 or so, but once in a while they will show up on Ebay, Audiogon, Reverb or US Audio Mart, and if you are very lucky maybe on Facebook Marketplace. 

I hope this will open your mind towards smaller, independently built speakers, as their are some amazing ones out there at different price points for nearly everyone. If you are a handy person who can do some cabinet building, there are some great DIY kits or plans out there to match or even exceed some of the more manufactured high volume speakers. 

Enjoy the music for what ever system you may have.

Some very good suggestions here. I’ve heard most of them. A really good, dynamic old classic rock tune is one by Elton John called Mad Man across the water. The original 8:52 version, not the short version, its not very good. Give it 75-80 db, amazing!

I found a Bella Sonus (Enamoured) cd at half price books many years ago. It’s been one of my favorite go tos ever since. I’m happy to see it mentioned in this thread.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Liberty by Anette Askvik