Good neutral cd's

[zipper]

I'd like some suggestions of what you would consider good sounding,neutral-toned CD's. I have quite a mix of classic rock from 60's to present day stuff & while a lot of it sounds good,some of it sounds sibilant. Putting it simply,I'm trying to gauge if what I'm hearing is considered clean,bright,dull,etc. Yes,I know this is very subject to every individuals' taste,but I'd still like to hear your opinions. I attended a lot of rock concerts in my younger years & I guess I'd like to figure out how screwed up my ears are now.
For instance,I think Mark Knopflers'"Sailing to Philadelphia sounds laid back,almost flat,while Soul Asylums' "Runaway Train" sounds nice & neutral,maybe a tad bright if anything. On several tracks of Madonnas' "Immaculate collection" her voice sounds sibilant. Of course,maybe thats just Madonna.
Yes,I just got new speakers(Axioms) & I like them,am gonna keep 'em,but due to the fact that comparing speakers can be difficult because, not only are some not available to listen to,but many times you don't get to compare them on the same electronics, one doesn't know how close or how far away they are from producing their best sound. For instance, I demo'ed the Paradigm studio 100's on top Rotel equipment & they sounded great,but what would they sound like with my Yammy?
So,once again,I'm looking for your valued opinions.

 

[av_phile]

Perhaps about the only neutral CDs out there is a TEST CD with pure tones. Every CD album is a product of the studio recording engineer's best judgement in arriving at the mix. Not every CD is well mixed or pressed. So in judgeing between various makes of players, amps and speakers in various configurations and matchings, perhaps only a dispassionate test CD with pure tones and pink noises across the 20hz to 20khz bandwidth can judiciosuly make an objective source for assessing those gears. Maybe you should try getting one of these from Chesky or Sheffield.

 

[zipper]

Thanks......

 

[Dan]

If found when I was shopping for speakers that often quieter simpler music was easier for judging speakers. Human voice and piano are two things we usually know the sound of very well.

I used George Winston "Linus and Lucy" for solo piano. It is well recorded and in a quiet room you can hear his feet on the pedals.

At that time I also discovered Mapleshade Records (www.mapleshaderecords.com). They have superbly recorded CDs at very reasonable prices. The sampler is $7.60. On it, there is a female jazz singer named Sunny Sumter who has an excellent voice. She is accomanied only sparsely by piano, acoustic bass and drums. Mapleshade records direct to two track without overdubs, eq, effects, or mixing boards. The sound is incredibly natural and I think is superior to reissues of older albums on SACD, almost as good as new SACD issues.

 

[Unregistered]

Here are three CDs I consider among the best I have heard in terms of recording quality. They are also great music, IMO.

Cassandra Wilson - "New Moon Daughter"

Holly Cole - "Temptation"

Jennifer Warnes - "The Hunter"

Also, excessive sibiliance is not always in the music. From my experience, inferior electronics, as well as speakers of course can exaggerate sibilance and other recordings anomolies, or sometimes cover them up. A truly neutral, transparent system will expose poor recording quality, but will reward you with musical nirvana on those that are well recorded.

 

[JimmyM]

Quote from Unregistered: "A truly neutral, transparent system will expose poor recording quality, but will reward you with musical nirvana on those that are well recorded."

How can one tell before purchasing if the CD is "well recorded?" Conversely, is there a way one can tell before purchasing if it is "poor recording quality?" Will the case/cover bear any particular label, language, marking(s) or logo(s)? Does a higher price guarantee quality? Is quality music found more generally in any particular genre of music, e.*., classical? I'd appreciate a brief primer on choosing quality CD's.

I recently purchased audio gear which is noted for neutrality and transparency and would like to take get the full benefit from it.

BTW, I tried unsuccessfully to search for such a thread, though I found some information pertaining only to classical labels.

 

[Unregistered]

BTW, I apologize; I don't mean to hijack this thread, but as I was searching for any threads about quality CD's, I came across this one and got all excited because you folks sound like you know what you are talking about.

 

[Unregistered]

try rosanne cash cd 10 demo songs

track 4 8 or 10 til you learn what it sounds like.


it is what you are asking for.

 

[zipper]

Thanks for all the feedback. When I went to demo some Paradigm's I made the mistake of not bringing some of my favorite CD's with me & had to listen to what the salesman put on. He played something I'd never heard before & I'm sure he picked it because he knew it would sound best.Having upgraded to some decent gear over the last year I can now hear subtle differences in recording quality.
But I'll be honest.The combo of my RX-V3300 & Axiom 60's has proven to sound bright at higher volumes.It is smooth at "average" listening levels but crank it up & it starts to scream a bit.Only future auditioning of electrnics & speakers will prove where the issue lies. I plan on picking up a B&K ref 125.2 to hook on to the Yammy & see what that sounds like.Just a starting point.
But by having a "clean,neutral" CD in hand I hope to make my comparisons in the future a bit simpler.