Using Bad Recording to Evaluate a System

Onemug,

Yep, I brought all kinds of CD's, all I was very familiar with and listened in multiple environments.

Racarlson, you articulated it better than I did! :)
I *do* hear the flaws as resolution increases, but the enjoyment, IMHO, with a really excellent system, is still there, not thrown out the window (together with your money). But maybe that's just me.

I agree with Chadnlz. You can't have it both ways. I go for the warts and all approach.

But it is a choice some would rather have a less revealing system that glosses over the harsh recordings.

It's a matter of choice. Choose your poison.

I can not see the utility of building a system that only sounds good with a minimal number of recordings. Sure, its fantastic when great music is recorded supremely well but that doesn't happen all that frequently. I need a system that can make me shake it with less than exalted material. Yr44, I'm with you. I would take whatever music I like for auditioning, and ask the dealer to keep his opinions on the suitability of the recordings to himself.

Question on this subject from a newbie who is thinking of getting into vinyl. Is vinyl less prone to bad recordings than digital? Or is a bad recording a function of what happens in the studio?

Thanks.

You're doing it the right way. I have done this in the past, too, brought recordings that I kknow are harsh. They can reveal harshnesses in a system when you only have a few hours to evaluate a bunch of equipment. There is much high-end equipment that is harsh sounding in and of itself. Using only the best recordings will not reveal this. You will figure it out eventually, when you get home and live with the stuff for a while (then we'll see it here for sale). I agree with Arni - the very best equipment makes great recordings sound their best, but also allows poor recordings to be listenable. Many of the components I have heard seem to be a trade-o0ff between harshness and resolution - the more resolving, the harsher the sound. I don't think this has to be the case, and I'm trying to find the exceptions to the rule.
Be honest to yourself about what your goals really are. If you are more interested inthe gear than the music, that's cool. Many people collect watches, cars, etc., not because they make great timekeepers or transportation, but because they are fascinated by the technology and artistry that went into each piece. HiFi is no different, and if that's your goal, fine. But if yo0u just want to hear your favorite music the best way possible, then you must test equipment with that music. When a snotty salesman questions you, just explain with complete confidence what you're doing. Tell him flat out that only a fool would buy a system based only on audiophile recordings. Tell him there are a lot of high-end pretenders out there, and that you're into iot for the music, not the gear (if that's your goal). I find this is the ultimate elitist move. No audiophile seems willing to argue against the "it's all about the music" thing; by saying this, you've outsnobbed him, and now he has to admit you're right.