Your favourite track for demonstrating your hi-fi?
24 December 2003, 11:31 AM
#31
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Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughn.
This bit make everyone who hears it go, woowwww.
I heard a pistol shoot/Yeah and it was a .44
Somebody killed a crap shooter cause he didn't/Shake, rattle, and roll
[Edited by Jye - 12/24/2003 11:34:00 AM]
This bit make everyone who hears it go, woowwww.
I heard a pistol shoot/Yeah and it was a .44
Somebody killed a crap shooter cause he didn't/Shake, rattle, and roll
[Edited by Jye - 12/24/2003 11:34:00 AM]
24 December 2003, 12:33 PM
#32
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great track, Jye - must dig that out and give it a spin....
hope the neighbours are in a festive mood
IIRC that album also has a good cover of Voodoo Chile on it.
hope the neighbours are in a festive mood
IIRC that album also has a good cover of Voodoo Chile on it.
24 December 2003, 12:45 PM
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Yeah Charlie, one me fav's m8. I managed to get a hold of the Master Sound collectors edition, its a 24-Karat gold cd (their description) rather than a silver one, dunno if that makes any diff sonically but to my ears its one of the best sounding CD's in my collection, also used Sony's much vaunted (then) super bit mapping.
edited to say the track was actually called Roughest Place In Town on this CD, rather than the vinyl vesions Tin Pan Alley. Wierd.
[Edited by Jye - 12/24/2003 12:47:43 PM]
edited to say the track was actually called Roughest Place In Town on this CD, rather than the vinyl vesions Tin Pan Alley. Wierd.
[Edited by Jye - 12/24/2003 12:47:43 PM]
24 December 2003, 12:58 PM
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when testing kit in a shop i always tend to bring at least one duff or less than top quality recording. a good one for this is L.A. from Elliott Smith's Figure 8. A great track, but less than great recording. Very congested in places. My theory is that if the system makes a poor recording unbearable to listen to, then that probably isn't going to be a great system to live with. Only a small number of albums are really well recorded and produced, and i still want to be able to listen to the remaining 99%.
24 December 2003, 03:01 PM
#44
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Leftfield has huge bass..trouble is its very compressed and sounds a bit slow. Also most hifi's will struggle with it..so it all ends up messy... They should have eased off a bit .
24 December 2003, 03:30 PM
#45
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To stretch my current system (Linn Ikemi CD, Naim Hi Cap power supply, NAC72 preamp, NAP 180 power amp, Acoustic Energy AE1 speakers on dedicated stands) then:
Thomas Dolby - I love You Goodbye, from Astronauts & Heretics - because it is a digital recording from start to finish.
To stretch my old vinyl setup (same amps/speakers, but Linn Sondek LP12 turntable, 20 years old when I sold it a couple of years ago but upgraded to current spec):
Picture Book - Simply Red - from album Picture Book.
I still miss my old Sondek, and the output was better than from the Ikemi, might get another one
Only sold it because supply of new albums on vinyl had dried up, but I gather they are being pressed again........
Thomas Dolby - I love You Goodbye, from Astronauts & Heretics - because it is a digital recording from start to finish.
To stretch my old vinyl setup (same amps/speakers, but Linn Sondek LP12 turntable, 20 years old when I sold it a couple of years ago but upgraded to current spec):
Picture Book - Simply Red - from album Picture Book.
I still miss my old Sondek, and the output was better than from the Ikemi, might get another one
Only sold it because supply of new albums on vinyl had dried up, but I gather they are being pressed again........
24 December 2003, 03:36 PM
#46
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Dave, I think you sold the LP12 as listening to simply red was doing your head in.
The Thomas Dolby track is nice though. For a bit more of an upbeat work out, Hyperative from the Flat Earth album is a good blast.
Loads of good vinyl available, both new and second hand. Depends where your taste is at, i suppose.
The Thomas Dolby track is nice though. For a bit more of an upbeat work out, Hyperative from the Flat Earth album is a good blast.
Loads of good vinyl available, both new and second hand. Depends where your taste is at, i suppose.
24 December 2003, 03:41 PM
#47
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Without doubt, an album called 'Karma' by Deleirium. Every track will test your system for imaging, soundstaging and downright whipcracking responses. If good enough, the lister will get a shiver down their spine from the haunting female vocals.
Try 'Elizium' by Fields of the Nephilim for similar effect but with male vocals.
Finally, BT 'ESCM' and 'Movement in still life' are often used by hi-fi testers as it is very well produced. ESCM will push your system to the limits and is one of my all time fave albums.
Try 'Elizium' by Fields of the Nephilim for similar effect but with male vocals.
Finally, BT 'ESCM' and 'Movement in still life' are often used by hi-fi testers as it is very well produced. ESCM will push your system to the limits and is one of my all time fave albums.
24 December 2003, 03:52 PM
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A good question to ask for any hifi buff and sometimes tricky to answer when your music collection is so vast -
So a few I can pick from memory -
Antonio forcioni - all of the naim recordings are superb
Shai live - Together Forever
Some of George Michaels tracks sound impressive
Some of Mansuns stuff also sounds good
and also Santana naturally
I agree with the Jeff Buckley Grace album and Love over gold Dire straits - quality albums
So a few I can pick from memory -
Antonio forcioni - all of the naim recordings are superb
Shai live - Together Forever
Some of George Michaels tracks sound impressive
Some of Mansuns stuff also sounds good
and also Santana naturally
I agree with the Jeff Buckley Grace album and Love over gold Dire straits - quality albums
24 December 2003, 04:02 PM
#50
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It's reckoned that the vast majority of Dire Straits' sales were due to one of their CD's being given away as a free demo with CD players in the early years - not due to their musical desirability (yes i DO have a limited amount of DS stuff in my collection )
)
24 December 2003, 04:04 PM
#51
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agreed, the ginger one has got a technically fine voice. still makes me feel a bit ill to look at him, though.
i wish i had bought Grace when simply vinyl did a re-issue of it on 180g. AFAIK they aren't pressing it again.
One I like to show atmosphere and lack of background noise from the turntable is forest fire from llyod cole and the commontions' rattlesnakes. another deeply unfashionable record, but i like it.
for dancey stuff i might try hothead from DIY. Subtle, mate; that's what you call subtle
i wish i had bought Grace when simply vinyl did a re-issue of it on 180g. AFAIK they aren't pressing it again.
One I like to show atmosphere and lack of background noise from the turntable is forest fire from llyod cole and the commontions' rattlesnakes. another deeply unfashionable record, but i like it.
for dancey stuff i might try hothead from DIY. Subtle, mate; that's what you call subtle
24 December 2003, 04:09 PM
#52
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LOL - he's not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing, or most charismatic personality, is he I only suffer him for his voice - but he seems to have lost his way songwise of late, too 
I only suffer him for his voice - but he seems to have lost his way songwise of late, too
24 December 2003, 06:42 PM
#57
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Jamiroquai - Synkronized
Specifically 'Canned Heat' and 'Falling'.
Not only is the recording free from hiss, hum and other analogue imperfections but there's also enough sharp snares and bright cymbal percussion to give presence when reproduced correctly.
Then there's Jays vocals which you either love or hate. And enough real instruments - brass etc. dotted about that you can ask yourself if you're really fooled or not.
Specifically 'Canned Heat' and 'Falling'.
Not only is the recording free from hiss, hum and other analogue imperfections but there's also enough sharp snares and bright cymbal percussion to give presence when reproduced correctly.
Then there's Jays vocals which you either love or hate. And enough real instruments - brass etc. dotted about that you can ask yourself if you're really fooled or not.
24 December 2003, 07:28 PM
#58
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i wish i had bought Grace when simply vinyl did a re-issue of it on 180g. AFAIK they aren't pressing it again.
All is not lost though as HMV sell a lot of Simply Vinyl's stuff. You can pick up a copy for £20.99 which, admittedly, is steep but I'd seriously pay more for what's on the record.
HMV Clicky
Hope this helps
24 December 2003, 07:38 PM
#60
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I installed a pair of lynn audio speakers £16000 each!!! the chap who bought em banged on Vangelis the love theme from bladerunner Wow wow and wow every hair on my body stood on end! but with a ford focus in each corner of his living room it should of!!!