Need Sample list of music to audition amps

[AVPaul]

I'm going to audtion three amps this weekend. I thought there might be a list or someone could recommend a list of music to use for comparing the amps.
I going to listen to Parasound A51, Athem MCA5, & Rotel 5-ch 200 amp.

I'll just be using CD's in a stereo set-up using Paradigm studio 100.

I need a sample list of music to use while auditioning new amp.

Plus, any comments on the amps or preferences?

The Athem is within my budget and the reviews keep saying one of the best is the Parasound A51 (A21).

 

[tbewick]

Stereophile has lists of recommended CD's, as does the Gramophone web site. Anything by Terlarc should be well-produced.

The only advice I've read recently was from Dolby who suggest to studios 3 dB of headroom in amplifier power over the maximum power rating of your speakers.

www.dolby.com/assets/pdf/tech_library/4_Multichannel_Music_Mixing.pdf

This article also contains all sorts of other information including room acoustics and speaker set up/positioning.

 

[zumbo]

Jack Johnson. (In Between Dreams) I have about 300 cd's, and this is the best sounding one by far.

 

[jcPanny]

Music list

Use music that you are familiar with so that you can note subtle differences in the soundtrack on different equipment. You may find that all of the high end amps you are auditioning have a flat frequency response and plenty of headroom so there is no audible difference.

 

[AVPaul]

Can't find the list of music at those sites.

The Dolby link was a GREAT big help!

I'm looking for a list of music to use for auditioning amps. Not to be confused with just a list of good music.

I could not find the lists you suggested at those web sites.

What is the title of the articles or how can I find these list at the web sites you mentioned?

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

I grabbed this from the contest thread of stuff I use to audition:

Everything But The Girl - Walking Wounded Solid, fairly deep, clean bass. Good for checking out a sub, but has a lot of electronic sounds and female vocals so it works well for the overall system sound.

BT - Emotional Technology Very complex compositions that run the range. Well recorded. He likes to sneak in some very deep stuff (mid 20s?) when you least expect it

Fiona Apple - Tidal Great recording, sensuous, liquid female vocals, some nice punchy bass on quite a few tracks.

Dave Mathews Band - Crash Nice recording, good variety of instruments, plucky, upbeat stuff and deep clean male vocals.

Seal Both of his first two albums, which I believe are both called "Seal" for some reason. Smooth male vocals, nice basslines, some deep stuff here and there.

Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue I'm not entirely crazy about her vocals, but this Mobile Fidelity disc is amazingly well recorded. A ton of depth and detail. Available on SACD as well as redbook.

 

[jaxvon]

Steely Dan - Aja
Diana Krall - The Girl in the Other Room
Dave Grusin - Mountain Dance
Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
Mulgrew Miller - Live at Yoshi's
The Rippingtons - Sahara

 

[tbewick]

Here are the specific links on those web sites:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/edschoice.asp
http://www.stereophile.com/musicrecordings/

These are recommended CD's on these websites. The review will say how good the sound quality is. The Stereophile reviews will certainly have a very strong emphasis on sound quality. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get this, but B&W have a recording that is meant to be of high technical quality (to show off their Matrix 801 series two speakers):

B&W label no. BW001, B&W Present:
The Academy of Ancient Music: Christopher Hogwood

 

[Duffinator]

Use music that you are familiar with so that you can note subtle differences in the soundtrack on different equipment.

I think this is your best advice. Make you own CD of music you like to listen to and have some songs with good bass tracks, some with a large dynamic range, and some you enjoy listening to very loud. Musical tastes are varied so go with what you like. I'd be happy to send you a list of what's on my audition CD, if interested send me a PM.

 

[AVPaul]

Thanks for your feedback!

I grabbed this from the contest thread of stuff I use to audition:

Thanks for your help! I'm going to B&N or Borders and see if they have the selection and if I can preview them..

 

[AVPaul]

I found the list with your help! Thanks!

Here are the specific links on those web sites:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/edschoice.asp
http://www.stereophile.com/musicrecordings/

These are recommended CD's on these websites. The review will say how good the sound quality is. The Stereophile reviews will certainly have a very strong emphasis on sound quality. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get this, but B&W have a recording that is meant to be of high technical quality (to show off their Matrix 801 series two speakers):

B&W label no. BW001, B&W Present:
The Academy of Ancient Music: Christopher Hogwood

I found the list. Thanks for your help!

 

[AVPaul]

Your list sounds like the music I should get! Thanks!

Steely Dan - Aja
Diana Krall - The Girl in the Other Room
Dave Grusin - Mountain Dance
Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
Mulgrew Miller - Live at Yoshi's
The Rippingtons - Sahara

Your list sounds like the music I should get! Thanks!

 

[AVPaul]

Thanks for your response.

I think this is your best advice. Make you own CD of music you like to listen to and have some songs with good bass tracks, some with a large dynamic range, and some you enjoy listening to very loud. Musical tastes are varied so go with what you like. I'd be happy to send you a list of what's on my audition CD, if interested send me a PM.

Thanks for your response!

 

[AVPaul]

I think I have the B&W CD!

Here are the specific links on those web sites:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/edschoice.asp
http://www.stereophile.com/musicrecordings/

These are recommended CD's on these websites. The review will say how good the sound quality is. The Stereophile reviews will certainly have a very strong emphasis on sound quality. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get this, but B&W have a recording that is meant to be of high technical quality (to show off their Matrix 801 series two speakers):

B&W label no. BW001, B&W Present:
The Academy of Ancient Music: Christopher Hogwood

I bought some B&W speakers and I believe the dealer gave me that CD. I'll have to find it and use.

Thanks again!