Music to test systems

I have always evaluated with the same cds. What they are, is not important to this post. Instead I want to bring up a thought. There are a number of cds that sound great on many systems because of the recording quality. I had a Krell amp at one time that would blow me away with a good recording, great dynamics and detail. It would however dissapoint with mediocre to bad recordings. In other words, the things it does best, are the same things that make it unlistenable at other times. The same is true for other equiptment I owned. I think there are certain things that need to be sacrificed in order to get a balanced system that will give overall enjoyment and enable you to go deeper into your cd collection. So, my point is, you should listen to the music you like and will spend most of your time listening to. If those cds don't sound good when you demo, then the system is not for you, unless you are willing to listen to only audiophile quality recordings.

Sorry for the poor spelling. I knew "dissapoint" didn't look right....

The answer would probably depend on my mood. Limited to five, and pressed to choose right now, the list is below:

(1) Joni Mitchell "Hejira' Asylum 7E 1087
(2) Charlie Haden "Closeness" A&M SP-710
(3) Roger Waters "Amused to Death" Columbia LC0162
(4) Stevie Ray Vaughn "Couldn't Stand the Weather" Epic FE39304
(5) Dead Can Dance "Into the Labyrinth" 4AD Records DAD3013

All these choices are in LP format. There would be a different list for CD, as I do not often duplicate titles. I could change my selection if ask again this time next week. This has to do with what is currently being played on my own system, making the jump to another system and environment a bit less difficult.

Albert is absolutely right(not to say his list is the list to use, no offense Albert) on the idea of using music you have been listening to recentely. It is what you have most recently heard and therefore is the best/most recent reference you have and nothing is better then that. Best of luck, :-)Tim

Abstract7; interesting thread. Like some have noted above, my list will change over time-- but slowly. All are CDs.
1. Holly Cole "Temptation"; female vocal timbre, background noise.
2. Enigma "Cross of Changes"; Bass, dynamics, PRT.
3. Cowboy Junkies "The Caution Horses"; female vocal timbre, detail, and relaxation effect.
4. JJ Cale "Guitar Man"; Pace, Rhythm, and Timing; also male vocal timbre.
5. Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road"; an HDCD disc; Soundstaging, female vocals.

I don't specifically buy "audiophile" CDs. All the above CDs can also be used to check tonal balance, which should be an assumed characteristic of any well recorded CD. Cheers. Craig.