AVS Forum banner

What is YOUR Reference CD or SACD??

148K views 420 replies 249 participants last post by  Maddmaster 
#1 ·
Hello all. As I grow older I'm getting more into 2 Channel Stereo than I used to be. I'm now on the hunt to find out the best quality Cd's or Sacd's to "Show off" the best my system can do. I'm really into Acoustic and/or Classical as well as classic rock.


So, what I'm asking is, what CD do YOU put in when you want to showcase the best your system can sound or wow one of your neighbors?
 
#2 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StopTheExcuses /forum/post/13896412


Hello all. As I grow older I'm getting more into 2 Channel Stereo than I used to be. I'm now on the hunt to find out the best quality Cd's or Sacd's to "Show off" the best my system can do. I'm really into Acoustic and/or Classical as well as classic rock.


So, what I'm asking is, what CD do YOU put in when you want to showcase the best your system can sound or wow one of your neighbors?

I play what I like to hear. I'm not in the business of wowing neighbors but, it seems to me, that if you like it then that's what matters. I have a hard time understanding why someone would buy music they don't care about just to wow someone. Buy what you like.


Fred
 
#3 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StopTheExcuses /forum/post/13896412


Hello all. As I grow older I'm getting more into 2 Channel Stereo than I used to be. I'm now on the hunt to find out the best quality Cd's or Sacd's to "Show off" the best my system can do. I'm really into Acoustic and/or Classical as well as classic rock.


So, what I'm asking is, what CD do YOU put in when you want to showcase the best your system can sound or wow one of your neighbors?

If I want to show off, I would select something that the guest might enjoy. As for impressing the neighbors, I have no need for that as I live in an apartment.
 
#4 ·
I agree %100 percent you should buy or listen to music that YOU like. However, just as in people buy Blu Rays that are not necessarily good movies, but have incredible detail and transfer qualities to make their HDTV shine, I'm looking for those type Cd's or SACD's that have an incredible digital transfer, or just sound amazing. The best way to find new music and broaden your horizons is to just ask, and then listen!
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StopTheExcuses /forum/post/13896412


Hello all. As I grow older I'm getting more into 2 Channel Stereo than I used to be. I'm now on the hunt to find out the best quality Cd's or Sacd's to "Show off" the best my system can do. I'm really into Acoustic and/or Classical as well as classic rock.


So, what I'm asking is, what CD do YOU put in when you want to showcase the best your system can sound or wow one of your neighbors?

One of the very best is Dire Straits "Brothers In Arms"
 
#338 ·
Pink Floyd - "Dark Side of the Moon" has always been my go-to CD when testing stuff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxfli44
#8 ·
I second what others said. It's all about the music in the first place. If I like the music, then I listen to it.

However when I audition CD players, speakers or receivers my demo disc is Dark Side of the Moon. I know the record very well and it has an excellent sound quality.
 
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by wakashizuma /forum/post/13900368


I second what others said. It's all about the music in the first place. If I like the music, then I listen to it.

However when I audition CD players, speakers or receivers my demo disc is Dark Side of the Moon. I know the record very well and it has an excellent sound quality.

It's odd you say that as I was watching that exact album on ebay in the SACD format but passed it up. Dang! I'll look for it agian, excellent album.


As for what others have contributed, thanks a bunch, I'm already on the hunt for a few of the songs/albums listed.
 
#406 ·
It's odd you say that as I was watching that exact album on ebay in the SACD format but passed it up. Dang! I'll look for it agian, excellent album.


Have a new Denon SACD player and have been able to find only one SACD (brothers in arms) that is both affordable and listenable. Paid $13 and change for 'brothers in arms', so that's my ENTIRE collection. SACD's are as cheap as $9 to $60 or more......
They seem scarce compared to vinyl, but I am trying to find an alternative with great dynamic range without the maintenance that comes with vinyl. Good luck finding SACD's unless your into Classical.
 
#11 ·
It's perfectly normal to want to show off your system in its best light...of course you're going to buy mostly music that you love, but everyone I know who is serious into this hobby has a disc or two of music that they don't necessarily like, but that is a reference disc for demonstration purposes.


For me, I have two: My Diana Krall disc (I don't even know the name of it...it has an orange and black cover on it) is amazing sounding. It's the first disc I play, because it is a very impressive demonstration of imaging. Secondly, I recommend just about anything from www.mapleshaderecords.com These folks know how to make a recording...and even though most of the music they record isn't my cup of tea (except the ARC Choir stuff), I love to listen to some of the tracks.
 
#12 ·
For me right now,


Reference Recording RR-96CD Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

This classical (romantic) has nice dynamics and transients with full symphonic instrumentation.


Reference Recording RR-101CD Felix Hell: Pipe Organ Sensation

The pipe organ disk has amazing amounts of bass which brings any system that may have bass shyness to its knees. The disk effortlessly bottoms out typical 2-way speakers being run full range, and subwoofers inappropriately sized for the room.


Telarc CD-83534 Marcus Miller: M²

Jazz, lots of bass, instrumentals, vocals, standard decent modern jazz.



When others come over, I typically play:


Reference Recordings RR-109 The Hot Club of san francisco Yerba buena bounce


Telarc CD-83534 Marcus Miller: M²


Reprise 49965-2 Guster: Ganging up on the sun


Candyrat Records Antoine Dufour: Naissance



I have found for the layman who is not really into speakers, the best music to "impress" them is not the reference-level recordings, but the cds that have lots of acoustic guitar, breathy vocals, nothing too complicated (like classical). Also, playback volumes at least 72dB avg. I've found that less than that, and they don't hear the "airiness" or "transparency".
 
#15 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonomega /forum/post/13903767



I have found for the layman who is not really into speakers, the best music to "impress" them is not the reference-level recordings, but the cds that have lots of acoustic guitar, breathy vocals, nothing too complicated (like classical). Also, playback volumes at least 72dB avg. I've found that less than that, and they don't hear the "airiness" or "transparency".

Honestly, this was exactly how I used to be, but I find myself slowly noticing more detail in the music now that I didn't notice before.
 
#18 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by yetis /forum/post/13913882


NO!!!

The worlds most over played "reference" cd. Anyone who has ever been to CES will understand...

There's a reason why it's the most overplayed...the imaging is amazing. On my Diana Krall CD, you can very easily pick out the performers in space. Diana herself is front and center, and her ensemble is very discernible from one player to the next. As much as I love my Mapleshade recordings for the 'wow' factor, my DK disc is by far the best demo for imaging.
 
#19 ·
Now, it's on to the more obscure artists mentioned in this thread, thanks!


Check out Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes, newly reissued with additional tracks (killer tracks, as good as the original ones). Jenny singing the songs of Leonard Cohen (she toured with him as a backup singer).


This was demo stuff twenty years ago when it came out, both on CD and vinyl (and the first track has Stevie Ray Vaughan tearing it up on guitar). The CD has a nifty little booklet as well. That rare audiophile recording in which the content matches the engineering.


Just search on it at amazon and read the accolades.
 
#20 ·
I play the type of music that my guests want to hear, but here are a few I use to check out new equipment, or demo my system. I use the DVD-A or SACD versions if available.


Donald Fagan, Morph the Cat - Male vocals, good bass and cymbals.

Diana Krall or Nora Jones - Piano (check for natural sound).

Celtic Woman DVD - Female Vocals, various bass drums, piano.

Jack Johnson CD - Male vocals, good seperation of instruments, something currently on the radio.

Jennifer Warnes - Nice Vocals, nice all around sound. I need little reason to listen listen to JW.


Darrell
 
#21 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StopTheExcuses /forum/post/13896412


Hello all. As I grow older I'm getting more into 2 Channel Stereo than I used to be. I'm now on the hunt to find out the best quality Cd's or Sacd's to "Show off" the best my system can do. I'm really into Acoustic and/or Classical as well as classic rock.


So, what I'm asking is, what CD do YOU put in when you want to showcase the best your system can sound or wow one of your neighbors?

One of my favorite SACDs is the DG recording of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony#2 with Gilbert Kaplan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic DG 474 5942. Incredible massive orchestral and chorus sound that is undistorted and will raise goosebumps.
 
#22 ·
StopTheExcuses,


I also am a big fan of acoustic music (mainly acoustic guitar), I am listing the absolute best I own along with a list of reference sounding CD's from all different genres.


Acappella


The House Jacks- Drive

The Nylons- Fabric of Life

The Nylons- Play On

The Nylons- Hits of the 60's Acappella Style

Big Band/Vocal


The Manhattan Transfer- The Anthology: Down In Birdland

The Manhattan Transfer- Tonin'

Michael Buble'- Michael Buble'

Michael Buble'- It's Time

Westlife- Allow Us to Be Frank

Blues


BB King- Blues on the Bayou

Eric Clapton- One More Car One More Rider

Hamilton Loomis- Ain't Just Temporary

Jeff Healey Band- Get Me Some

Jeff Healey- Mess of Blues

Jimmy Rogers- All Stars

John Mayall and Friends- Along for the Ride

Kid Jonny Lang and the Big Bang- Smokin'

Tommy Castro- Right as Rain

Crossover Classical


Bond- Born

Bond- Shine

Hooked on Classics 3

Electronica


Yello- Baby

Yello- Zebra

Jazz


Peter White- Glow (SACD)

Peter White- Confidential

Spyro Gyra- In Modern Times (SACD Hybrid)

New Age


Jan Hammer- Beyond the Mind's Eye

New Flamenco


Esteban- All My Love

Govi- Havana Sunset

Jesse Cook- Gravity

Jesse Cook- Vertigo

Johannes Linstead- Cafe' Tropical

Johannes Linstead- Mediterranea

Steve Stevens- Flamenco A Go Go

Strunz & Farah- Heat of the Sun

Strunz & Farah- Stringweave

R&B/Soul


Human Nature- Reach Out The Motown Record

Human Nature- Dancing in the Street/The Songs of Motown 2

James Hunter- People Gonna' Talk

Reggae


UB40- The Very Best of UB40

Rock/Pop


Cesar Rosas- Soul Diguise

Chris Issak- Baja Sessions

Christopher Cross- The Very Best of Christopher Cross

Richard Marx- Flesh and Bone

Eagles- Hell Freezes Over

Eagles- Long Road Out of Eden

John Fogerty- Blue Moon Swamp

Toto- Mindfields

Toto- Through the Looking Glass
 
#25 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by ohyeah32 /forum/post/13915268


StopTheExcuses,


I also am a big fan of acoustic music (mainly acoustic guitar), I am listing the absolute best I own along with a list of reference sounding CD's from all different genres.


Acappella


The House Jacks- Drive

The Nylons- Fabric of Life

The Nylons- Play On

The Nylons- Hits of the 60's Acappella Style

Big Band/Vocal


The Manhattan Transfer- The Anthology: Down In Birdland

The Manhattan Transfer- Tonin'

Michael Buble'- Michael Buble'

Michael Buble'- It's Time

Westlife- Allow Us to Be Frank

Blues


BB King- Blues on the Bayou

Eric Clapton- One More Car One More Rider

Hamilton Loomis- Ain't Just Temporary

Jeff Healey Band- Get Me Some

Jeff Healey- Mess of Blues

Jimmy Rogers- All Stars

John Mayall and Friends- Along for the Ride

Kid Jonny Lang and the Big Bang- Smokin'

Tommy Castro- Right as Rain

Crossover Classical


Bond- Born

Bond- Shine

Hooked on Classics 3

Electronica


Yello- Baby

Yello- Zebra

Jazz


Peter White- Glow (SACD)

Peter White- Confidential

Spyro Gyra- In Modern Times (SACD Hybrid)

New Age


Jan Hammer- Beyond the Mind's Eye

New Flamenco


Esteban- All My Love

Govi- Havana Sunset

Jesse Cook- Gravity

Jesse Cook- Vertigo

Johannes Linstead- Cafe' Tropical

Johannes Linstead- Mediterranea

Steve Stevens- Flamenco A Go Go

Strunz & Farah- Heat of the Sun

Strunz & Farah- Stringweave

R&B/Soul


Human Nature- Reach Out The Motown Record

Human Nature- Dancing in the Street/The Songs of Motown 2

James Hunter- People Gonna' Talk

Reggae


UB40- The Very Best of UB40

Rock/Pop


Cesar Rosas- Soul Diguise

Chris Issak- Baja Sessions

Christopher Cross- The Very Best of Christopher Cross

Richard Marx- Flesh and Bone

Eagles- Hell Freezes Over

Eagles- Long Road Out of Eden

John Fogerty- Blue Moon Swamp

Toto- Mindfields

Toto- Through the Looking Glass


Thank you TONS for listing that content, plenty to choose from. Now my only problem is funding the purchases. Haha. (Just purchased new speakers and a new sub this week). Thanks for your input as I will be locating several of these suggestions!
 
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StopTheExcuses /forum/post/13917111


Thank you TONS for listing that content, plenty to choose from. Now my only problem is funding the purchases. Haha. (Just purchased new speakers and a new sub this week). Thanks for your input as I will be locating several of these suggestions!

You're welcome.



Yes adding many CD's and SACD's to ones collection can get expensive. But at least we are selective of what we buy and mainly get stuff that not only is good music but has excellent sound quality as well. When you get some of the ones I listed, please chime back with how you liked them and how they sounded in your setup.
I know they sound amazing in my system.



Seth
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top