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My Top 5 Audiophile Demo Tracks

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ส.ค. 2024
  • Yes, you should ideally test audio equipment in your own home. However, that is not always possible. If you were to demo equipment remotely and had to limit yourself to just 5 tracks, which tracks would you choose and why? I try to do exactly that.
    0:00 - Start
    2:03 Flamence Sketches
    Miles Davis
    Kind of Blue
    5:32 Afro Bossa
    Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
    Afro Bossa
    7:47 Sweet Little Woman
    Carey Bell
    Harpslinger (30th Anniversary)
    9:30 Tell Him
    Barbara Streisand & Celine Dion
    Higher Ground
    11:07 Wake Up
    Rage Against The Machine
    Rage Against The Machine
    Classical alternative:
    50 Greatest Pieces of Classical Music
    London Philharmonic Orchestra

ความคิดเห็น • 1.3K

  • @JukeboxAlley
    @JukeboxAlley 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Ray Lamontagne-born to love you
    Dire straits-you and your friend, your latest trick, ride across the river
    Bob James quarter-feel like makin live, rocket man remix
    Billy eillish (great vocals)-power, everything I wanted, when the party's over
    Anything Cindy Bradley and Boney, James, Brian Culbertson, too many to list! Good video, we need more of these!

  • @kingmonkey88
    @kingmonkey88 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Massive Attack - Mezzanine album is a good test for how resolving and composed your system is.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Din 😉

    • @azombiestool
      @azombiestool 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Going to listen to this

    • @dietznutz1
      @dietznutz1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's some really weird shit right there

    • @welshrarebit9238
      @welshrarebit9238 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You must be a fan of what hifi

    • @kingmonkey88
      @kingmonkey88 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@welshrarebit9238 Lol. Is that what they use?

  • @georgekallinikos9602
    @georgekallinikos9602 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Firstly thanks for the videos I have learned a lot listening and watching you.
    My go to tracks.
    Jennifer Warnes - Somewhere somebody. Female vocals
    Martin Taylor - Polka dots and Moonbeams. Instrumental guitar lows and highs
    Duke Ellington - Three J's Blues Impact and live music
    Joe Bonamassa - Just 'cos you can don't mean you should. Great blues tune space for all instruments.
    Dire Straits - You and your friend. Great lows and instrumentals, balanced song.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for sharing your suggestions George. I greatly appreciate your support and kind words of encouragement 😊👍

  • @sbatty65227
    @sbatty65227 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I usually use the same five songs if possible.
    1. Duran Duran - New Religion - mainly for its driving rhythm, Simon's vocals singing back to himself and Andy Taylor's attacking guitar play.
    2. Terrorvision - Don't Shoot My Dog - Leigh Marklew's bassline will test any amplifier
    3. Depeche Mode - Blasphemous Rumours - mainly for how an amplifier portrays the intro.
    4. Puccini - Un bel di Vedremo sang by Maria Callas - growing up the youngest of three siblings I wasn't allowed to play their records, so I listened to Dad's vinyl. I adore this opera and if this Aria doesn't break my heart whilst listening then the equipment being tested is deemed naff.
    5. Tchaikovsky's - Swan Lake (excerpts) again from listening to Dad's vinyl as a kid. I just love the pieces of music and I use this as a classical tester.

  • @budgethometheaterandhifi
    @budgethometheaterandhifi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    1. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson from the album Bad - stereo separation, sound stage, bass and treble response.
    2. Over the Rainbow by Bodil Niska from the album Night Time - sound stage and presence, the first notes from the saxaphone should sound like they are in your room.
    3. Detour Ahead by Eliane Elias on the album Something For You - one of the best female vocal tests I've heard.
    4. Bump by Yosi Horikawa on the album Vapor - Depth and width of sound stage is really impressive on this track.
    5. El Vito by Wolfgang Haffner with Studnitsky on the album Kind of Spain - Excellent for testing presence and sub-bass.

  • @marcgabor9690
    @marcgabor9690 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I just went through this exercise myself and what I found is that while the quality and content of the recording important I think what really matters is that you pick songs that move you. When testing equipment I am more interested in finding out if it reprodcues music that I love in a way that moves me than whether or not it makes male vocals or female vocals or bass sound good. I don't listen to a lot of female jazz/pop vocalists so whatever system sounds good to me will surely suffice for genres that I don't normally listen to.
    I couldn't agree more with Kind of Blue as a reference though. Pick one track off that album and one energetic rock song and you should be good.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for sharing Marc 😊

    • @leodesforges161
      @leodesforges161 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Pot, by TOOL is one of those songs for me. I know just what you mean.

  • @foxdenham
    @foxdenham ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Good choice: Here's my choice for a wide spectrum, full system aesthetic and technical workout:
    Diana Karl - East of the sun, Nat King Cole - When I fall in love, ZZ Top - Blue Jean Blues, War - City Country City, Elbow - Starlings (bonus 'world' classical track: Armand Omar - Bab Aziz). Enjoy. ...and thank's for all the other top 5's - this'll keep me listening for weeks

  • @joaquinbarreto9398
    @joaquinbarreto9398 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    That Carey Bell Harpslinger album is gold! Thanks for introducing me to this gem.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Most welcome 😊👍

    • @Gavrik_Korogodskiy
      @Gavrik_Korogodskiy 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If I was listening to jazz, a phone speaker would be enough.

    • @bbfoto7248
      @bbfoto7248 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Gavrik_Korogodskiy
      Instead of being dismissive and condescending about a certain genre that you obviously don't appreciate, why don't you actually LIST your Top 5 Demo Tracks from the genres that you do actually appreciate and listen to?!
      That would potentially be useful and productive. Otherwise you're just wasting Internet bandwidth and everyone's time.
      Cheers

    • @Gavrik_Korogodskiy
      @Gavrik_Korogodskiy หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@bbfoto7248 pakito - are you ready, Why Not - Ghostface Playa, Vivaldi - spring

    • @Gavrik_Korogodskiy
      @Gavrik_Korogodskiy หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@bbfoto7248 Don't say that I'm dumb in this way. My list: Vivaldi - spring, ost matrix(all), Madonna - night, Viktor Coi - peremen, Japan drums

  • @bongofury3176
    @bongofury3176 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    My 5 test tracks are:
    Beatles - Come Together (must be blown away with the bass guitar)
    Beatles - A Day in The Life (Ringo's congas must be audible all the way through)
    Zep - When the Levee Breaks (must punch me with the bass drum)
    Massive Attack - Angel (must thrill with dynamics)
    Beastie Boys - Slow Ride (check this one out - it should shock you with the speed of percussion and depth of bass)
    Just realised I am a basshead

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great suggestion. I have most of those recordings. 😉👍

    • @davidadamus177
      @davidadamus177 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Very interesting, I didn't know there were congas in a day in the life! Time to re-listen.

    • @78sound
      @78sound 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What I like about your tracks is they are also great songs.

    • @jackwezesa1081
      @jackwezesa1081 ปีที่แล้ว

      Led Zeppelin Love the Massive Attack album but not to sure about using that Zep track as a test !

  • @RJ_Chicago
    @RJ_Chicago 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Hi Tarun, Great video. Here are some of my favorites from my Roon Equipment Test playlist 1. Gentle Rain by Houston Person and Ron Carter. - Perfect track for stereo separation, soundstage midrange and especially bass. A duet with Person on one side playing sax and Ron Carter playing double bass on the other side. The ultimate bass test! 2. Allan Taylor playing Tennessee Waltz on Behind the Mix - Very well recorded test of male vocals and guitar. 3. Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen w/Jennifer Warnes from The Essential Leonard Cohen - Very well recorded and great male and female vocal test, though Warnes sings backup. 4. I don’t have a good female lead vocal track selected yet. But I think a lot of tracks of Norah Jones or Diana Krall with only Piano would be great. 5. You definitely need a piano track and for me Keith Jarrett is IT. I use One for Majid a lot. But you can pick almost any of his piano trio or solo paino tracks. Bonuses: Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life midrange test with Pat’s guitar. Jaco on bass and the transients high notes of Bob Moses cymbals. Also for soundstage and male vocal I like (it’s just me) Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for your suggestions and great analysis Richard. You mentioned a couple of tracks that I am not familiar with. I will have to check them out 😊👍

  • @gemmakaru9685
    @gemmakaru9685 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is my list, feedback welcome.
    Gloria Estefan - Get on your feet (complexity, dynamics, speed and female vocal).
    Nat King Cole - Nature Boy (male vocal character, older recording)
    Heart - Barracuda (guitars, female vocals, drumming)
    Herb Alpert - Rotation (smoothness, delicacy, layering)
    Talvin Singh - Butterfly (Bass extension and rapid treble over the top)

  • @danthemanwhocancan
    @danthemanwhocancan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I'm sat here with Zack de la Rocha and he wants to let you know that he and the rest of the Rage against the Machine boys are thrilled to have made the grade. Tom Morello lead guitarist couldn't believe that he was on a list that contained 2 of his heroes Miles Davis and Celine Dion.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Wow Dan, that is amazing!!! It is me that needs to thank them for countless hours of listening pleasure. I am so delighted that they got to watch my video. Thank you for letting me know. 😊😊😊👍👍👍

    • @09hunterboy8
      @09hunterboy8 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      awesome!

    • @petethegreekre
      @petethegreekre 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@abritishaudiophile7314 This channels flying, bravo, you deserve it!

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@petethegreekre thank you. Much appreciated 😊👍👍

    • @hueroski
      @hueroski 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Got em"

  • @meerajsarkar9247
    @meerajsarkar9247 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My Picks would be:
    1. Robert miles - Children (Dream version)
    2. Dave Brubeck - Take Five
    3. Eva Cassidy - Imagine.
    4. Pink Floyd - High Hopes
    5. Michael Jackson - Thriller
    Think this would be a pretty good for system testing ...

  • @CobraChamp
    @CobraChamp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I love your list! Thank you for the introduction to Carey Bell!

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You are welcome Champster. Thank you for watching and commenting 😊👍

  • @philstevens9914
    @philstevens9914 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue "What a shame" Available in Audiophile Vinyl. Whole album is superb and very well recorded.

  • @WisGuy4
    @WisGuy4 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    My list is a pretty short one. For testing speakers and headphones: a) Private Investigations by Dire Straits, on Love Over Gold; b) Give It Up To Love by Mighty Sam McClain, on Give It Up To Love. For testing headphones: c) Midnight Rambler live by The Rolling Stones on Get Yer Ya-Yas Out.
    Private Investigations has one of the finest tests of imaging and soundstage with a variety of instruments and sounds in the background that moved during the course of this song that will really tell if you’re speakers are capable of imaging or not. Later in the song, there are a set of footsteps that move across the soundstage and you should be able to to follow them from beyond one speaker to beyond the other. There is another effect that on a poor quality system sounds like any sort of glass object like a bottle clanking in the background, but on better quality systems, it can be identified as a wine glass breaking. There is a heartbeat sound that sounds like a dull “thud, thud” on lesser equipment, but comes across as a sharp “tunk, tunk“ on a better speaker. The keyboards sound a bit digital and metallic on a cheaper, lesser quality system, but sound a bit richer, more like a piano on a better system.
    Sam McClain’s vocals on Give It Up To Love sound thin and gravelly on poor quality speakers. On good quality speakers they open up, and you will discover that he is probably the finest male blues singer of all time, with a rich, highly emotive voice. There’s also a crescendo that builds on this track that is uplifting with the majesty of a tall mountain peak, heard through good equipment, but is the sonic equivalent of a small foothill on lesser equipment. The album was also recorded by Audioquest and it is of exceptionally high recording quality.
    Live albums from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s that do not feature the Allman Brothers at the Filmore East venue tend to be rather far from what one would use for an audio test track, but there are significant sonic features on Midnight Rambler from the Get Yer Ya-Yas Out album highlight the difference between better and lesser headphones. On cheaper headphones, the song starts with a dull rumble, but on better headphones, you can hear each string Bill Wyman plucks on his bass distinctly and powerfully. At about the 2/3 mark as the song has really slowed down, Mick Taylor‘s solo develops more savagely yet more musically than virtually any heavy metal solo, if played on a good set of headphones. On lesser headphones it’s not as notable.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Great 👍 thank you for sharing your experiences 😊

  • @ssks1979
    @ssks1979 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Not an easy question to answer but two that I pull out to demo equipment are:
    Solo female voice: Spanish Harlem sung by Rebecca Pidgeon (The Raven - Chesky Records)
    Big Band instruments: Caravan by Harry James (Still Harry After All These Years - Sheffield Lab)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you ssks. I have Rebecca Pidgeon in my playlist but couldn’t find Caravan by Harry James on Tidal. Found some of his other tracks though 😊

  • @pedrobandeira3575
    @pedrobandeira3575 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hi Tarun, excellent selection, very much on point for the job (and great music altogether).
    One of my favorite tracks for this purpose is also Donny Hathaway's The Ghetto (live) from "These songs for you, live". Great music in its own right but appropriate for dynamics and multiple instrument singling out. Just sharing.
    Thank you for your work! Much appreciated.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Pedro. I have that song in my playlist. Love it. It may feature in a follow up video 😊👍

  • @garypoole716
    @garypoole716 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great choices, One of mine would have been Diana Krall beautiful voice and always well recorded👌

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Totally agree. I needed someone with a higher pitch to test those frequencies. That is why I went with Streisand & Dion. Thank you for watching 😊👍

  • @brothergrubenski2603
    @brothergrubenski2603 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Dreams - Fleetwood Mac is a favourite test track of mine. the bass line clarity, listening out for the different areas where the high hat is getting hit. Great vocal range as well.

  • @davidteague3849
    @davidteague3849 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Another great video by Tarun. Advice to listeners. If you are using digital sources, or even remastered vinyl, beware these are often compressed. A telltale sign is they play louder at the same equipment volume than the original recordings. Sure, the re-masters might have cleaned up background noise, but often have been played with to the detriment of the original recording as likely the engineer or artist in the studio heard the mix. A great resource is the dr.loudness-war.info/ website. This contains the results of ~150,000 albums and rates the "dynamic range" of the tracks recorded. You want masters that have the greatest dynamic range. The peak dB within each track is also an indicator of potential shelving of high dynamic instruments - especially percussion. I've found the older / more original the master - the better generally. I'd prefer a little noise, over compression.
    A great example is the last track - RATM - Wake up (off their self titled album). Compare the Dynamic range of the 1992 vinyl vs. cd. You'll see the CD version has been destroyed with clipping and compression. PS: This is not about vinyl being superior to CD (and why people confuse the medium over the master). It's how the digital version was abused :)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thank you David. Well said. I am with you, I rather live with a little more background noise than a “cleaned up” remaster that has been compressed to death 😊

    • @HAL9007
      @HAL9007 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes. Yes. Yes.
      "Mastering Over Medium."
      I want a T-shirt..... :-)
      Thanks for the link to Loudness Wars.
      My best example of this is Jimmy Smith & Stanley Turrentine's "Prayer Meetin'" from 1963. Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey. Title track is just astonishing. (Yes, I am partial to the Hammond B3.) I stream on Qobuz in FLAC 44.1/16-bit and it sounds like performers are in my room. No, really ...... I wonder what this album would sound like with a good turntable rig? Must be Just Wow.

    • @galaxrobert
      @galaxrobert 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks, I just learned something new.

  • @lukavajagic3914
    @lukavajagic3914 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Whenever i am in doubts or want a quick insight to one system i play Mancinis Pink Panther Theme.
    Great bass crossed with trumpets, flute, sax, percusions...you name it...
    If it is presented correctly you know you did something right while setting things up.
    My system is modest with Audio Analogue Crescendo int. amp, Marantz 63 mkII K.I. signature cd player and Jamo 7.5 floorstanders (Usher's x-719 compass are being awaited at father's house until kids are prone from damaging silk tweeters 😁 )

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That is a nice system Luka. Great suggestion for a demo track. An absolute classic. Thank you for watching and sharing 😊👍

  • @ac81017
    @ac81017 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    My top 5 tracks:
    Peder af Ugglas Blue Departure
    Charly Antolini That´s me
    Röyksopp The Alcoholic
    The kinks Deaf of a clown
    Roger Water The ballad of Bill Hubbard
    Maria Mena I was made for loving you
    I´m lucky to have my own listening room with room acoustic treatment, I´ve had many high end speakers such as the Infinity IRS Beta, Wilson and many others, I was never a 100% happy with the sound of so called high end speakers and ended up with an old pair of Tannoy FSM and a pair of REL subs. It feels like i´m in the studio engineers recording seat on every track i play, imaging, 3D, vocals, everything sounds so natural and real.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sound like you have a great setup William. Thank you for watching and your suggestions 😉👍

    • @davidstein9129
      @davidstein9129 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Where do you put your accoustic diffuser panels?
      Any good rule of thumb for placement of these panels?
      Tx..

    • @Frip36
      @Frip36 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for including the albums the songs are on. Very helpful.

  • @frederf69
    @frederf69 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    You have better taste in music than many reviewers 😎🎶

  • @ronanderson9553
    @ronanderson9553 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Was not expecting an RATM as your 5th track, love it!

  • @garyalexander5686
    @garyalexander5686 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Brilliant recommendation for the Carey Bell album. I'd missed that one. Thanks very much.

  • @hirdeshirde
    @hirdeshirde ปีที่แล้ว +2

    1)Beat Hotel-Allan T aylor( Strong, unique midrange instrument with great male (ish)vocal quality presentation
    2)Hell Hounds of Krim-King Crimson( Base and mid range)
    3)Way down deep-Jennifer Warnes(Very soulful female vocal with deep drum kicks garnished with gentle mid and high frequency instruments)
    4)Just like Love-Steve straus( Touching male vocals with fascinating mid range instrumentation)
    5)Bird's Teardrop-Estas Tonne.Peia(Magical guitar play with angle like female vocals)

  • @maxh4296
    @maxh4296 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I particularly liked the context you gave to the Miles Davis track identifying the musicians, the instruments and so on.

  • @thomasbrice8884
    @thomasbrice8884 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    thank you for sharing these tracks and your insight into what to look out for each in track. Based on a louspeaker placement video from Dynaudio my two favourites are "The Pink Panther" theme song by Henri Mancini for instrument seperation and soundstage and Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" for finding that low frequency sweet spot for your listening position but also how well the speakers handle the variation in the bass line.

  • @freshoutofboat4287
    @freshoutofboat4287 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you Tarun, really appreciate this and introducing us to some great tracks and genres,

  • @DaCajunJoe
    @DaCajunJoe ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow! Carey Bell is it. Great separation and clarity. Thanks for the suggestions.

  • @sanjayh8645
    @sanjayh8645 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tarun, I'm as, if not more intrigued by the lists in the comment section - as your excellent selection. What a great audiophile fest playlist.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Sanjay. I am very proud of the community that build around this channel 😊👍

  • @guyfforde3082
    @guyfforde3082 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Great video :) Respectfully I'd suggest trying to get a less 'roomy' sound on your voice - maybe a lav mic. i think it would greatly improve the feel of your videos and would be appreciated by audiophiles :)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thanks 😊Guy. I am on to it

    • @markknight6445
      @markknight6445 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nice channel. No B.S.. BUT I am amazed at how reflective your room sounds. I presume the mic that you are using is a condenser, try a cheaper dynamic or lav as already suggested.

  • @DesignVisStudios
    @DesignVisStudios 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Enoying the Comments and Suggestions so I'll add some of my own:
    Led Zepplin - No Quarter (Remaster)
    Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter
    Espers - Riding
    Bill Withers - Lovely Day
    The Aristocrats - Bad Asteroid
    Eva Cassidy - Ain't No Sunshine
    Nils Lofgren - Keith Don't Go

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great suggestions. Thank you DVS 😊👍

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Kris 😊

    • @rogermiller6332
      @rogermiller6332 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, Jennifer Warnes, The Hunter. The strings, her voice, pure heaven.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Roger, I almost went with “Lights of Louisianne” from that album and last minute swapped it for Celine & Barbara as it is a bit easier to judge the vocals on that track.

  • @gregwilliams2746
    @gregwilliams2746 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks, Tarun! I love the details you provide on each of the tracks. One thing I noticed on Flamenco Sketches is that Jimmy Cobb is not only delicately playing the cymbals but you should be able to hear him softly scraping a brush with his other hand the whole time! Amazing detail on this track and beautifully recorded!

  • @daniloreyes2
    @daniloreyes2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very well done, I liked that the links on the description takes you to the actual part on the video.

  • @VickyLovesHeadphones
    @VickyLovesHeadphones 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I use the following tracks to evaluate headphones, but they apply to 2 channel audio systems in general.
    Vicky’s 5 Tracks for Evaluating Headphones 🎧:
    -------------------------------------------------------
    ---------------------------------
    1. The New Appalachians - Wayfaring Stranger (2015)
    🎤 Mid-range and sibilance test. This is a Chesky binaural recording. Noah Wall's bittersweet voice should come across clear and bright, but not sibilant.
    2. Infected Mushroom - Spitfire (2017)
    🥁 Bass impact and definition test. The synth bass is fast, detailed, and hard hitting. Each segment should stay in its own sound space. If the system can produce sub-bass, this track will let you know.
    3. Radiohead - Nude (2007)
    🎹 Soundstage and imaging test. The overall presentation should remain warm and laid back throughout the song. Only Thom Yorke's vocals, high hats, and certain elements appear forward.
    4. Luiz Bonfá - Inquietação (1962)
    🎻 Details and resolution test. This bossa nova classic has been remastered and reissued too many times. I prefer the hi-res download of the original "O Violão e o Samba" recording.
    5. Therion - Enter Vril-Ya (2000)
    🎸 Compressed and real-world music test. Unless you listen exclusively to well-recorded music, you should probably know how badly the system sounds with a typical "loudness war" recording that you love.

    • @Sub-sr4sl
      @Sub-sr4sl 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for sharing, Vicky.
      I agree with you on the last one! Whatever you demo, make sure that you like how it sounds with music that you typically listen to. 95% of my music library is punk-rock, metal, and grunge. lol

  • @edwardmonsariste4050
    @edwardmonsariste4050 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Since the late 80’s, I’ve used the Dire Straits Brothers in Arms CD. I’ve had to purchase many copies through the years.
    It will easily show any flaws in your system.
    Today, having it on your phone is a must. You might go to an audio store to listen to audio equipment and may be in a building that shields cell phone signal.

  • @jeffchastain2977
    @jeffchastain2977 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I couldn't agree more with your first choice of Flamenco Sketches from Miles Davis' album Kind of Blue. Coincidentally, I just acquired a hybrid SACD of the classic, and already fantastically recorded album and have been listening the heck out of it. If you want a wonderfully recorded and especially great blues number from a FEMALE blues singer, try Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa's album, Don't Explain. Especially the track, I'll Take Care of You. This on a great system will knock you for a loop!!

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@jeffchastain2977 thank you Jeff 😊

    • @stephenpugh6257
      @stephenpugh6257 5 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      Awesome……. Thank you ❤

  • @jasonfallon4968
    @jasonfallon4968 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very good. Boz Scaggs - Greatest hits live. Mahler Symphony No 2 Resurrection W Alan Gilbert.

  • @richardherbert3519
    @richardherbert3519 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hi Tarun, another very interesting video. My five would be: A Kind of Blue, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto ( a new recording by Mutter,Yo Yo Ma and Barenboim.A MQA recording that really grabbed me), Weather Report’s Bird Land ( Heavy Weather recording ), Bill Evans Peace Piece and anything by Blossom Dearie.
    I would like to give you an update on my tone arm bounce because of my wooden floor. I gave up trying to isolate my LP12 t/table and decided to try to isolate the complete Hi Fi rack.The setup I finally ended up with is : 8 of your washing machine dampers in 4 pairs ( large diameter to large diameter) on the carpet, on top of which is a 400x600x25 mm MDF board. On top of the board are 8 Sorbathane hemispheres ( more of these later) on which sits the bottom shelf of the rack. Then on the top shelf 4 sorbathane hemispheres under the t/table and it works.
    Regarding the sorbathane, i was using items I purchased from Amazon or EBAY which didn’t work ( to stiff ). I found a company on line called QTA System’s who supply loud speaker parts and sorbathane
    There website explains about the required amount of compression needed to work correctly and has tables of sizes and hardness for the weight of the unit to be supported.
    The company was very helpful with suggestions for my problem
    Hope this may be of help to some of your viewers.
    Regards
    Richard Herbert

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Richard, thank you for your track selections and the update. Looks like you have been on quite a journey to get the vibrations under control. I know you have probably done this but have you checked the tone arm tracking weight. Normally should be between 2 or 3 grams.

    • @richardherbert3519
      @richardherbert3519 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A British Audiophile hi Tarun,I have had the tracking weight up and down and finally set the weight the Linn dealer had it set when I had the LP12 serviced. He also fitted a new cartridge.
      Regards
      Richard

  • @michaelknibbs
    @michaelknibbs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    4 out of 5 yes. Yes. Yes. But Streisand and Celine? Really. You can listen to that more than once? Man, you are tough. That is taking your dedication to our hobby beyond most limits. Thanks for this.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good one 😂 It is not my favourite female performance but a good one to test a system 😊👍

  • @Altaruler
    @Altaruler 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for the videos, they are very helpful. I have a few of the albums on your list. I have been getting into the hi-fi for the past 10 years, and am always impressed with how my music sounds on my new gear. I have some regular albums and tracks I use when I am testing new gear. Herbie Hancock - Dis is Da Drum is a good album. Curtis Mayfield "Superfly." Led Zeppelin "No Quarter," and Kool and the Gang "Summer Madness," are on rotation.

  • @freddy1382
    @freddy1382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Loved the way you explained the apparent location of the musicians. I think this is something only keen listeners observe and enjoy. It even adds a new dimension to the music itself. Keep listening! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

  • @cjpriustt
    @cjpriustt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Great lists of suggestions for me to sample for days: Hopefully without repeating the popular ones already suggested, here’s my list:
    Test: male voice & acoustic guitar
    Song: St. James Infirmery
    Artist: Hans Theessink
    Label: Blue Groove
    Listen for: sharp attack of guitar strings and decay, full male voice
    Test: soundstage
    Song: Agnus Dei by Barber
    Artist: Voce8
    Label: Decca
    Listen for: height and depth of soundstage, natural purity of perfect voices
    Test: Mid bass
    Song: Basic Drummer Free Improvisation
    Artist: Jim Keltner
    Label: Sheffield
    Listen for: neutral mid bass, treble
    Test: treble
    Song: Poison & Wine
    Album: Barton Hollow
    Artist: The Civil Wars
    Label: Columbia-Sony
    Listen for: any sibilance and/or congestion of male-female high voices, guitar and cymbals
    Test: sub bass
    Song: The Bells of St Anne de Beaupre
    Album: The Power and the Glory, Vol. 1
    Artist: Alexander Russell (composer), Lloyd Holzgraf (organist)
    Label: M & K Realtime Records
    List for: discernible sub bass notes, deep soundstage, blackness, dynamic range

  • @davekwiecinski
    @davekwiecinski ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tarun, thank you for your informative videos.
    I still have a yellow vinyl stereo test LP that my parents purchased in the early 60s (late 50s?). Always a nostalgic joy to listen!
    My top demo track for female vocals is listening to Clare Torry on Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky. I remember listening to the Dark Side of the Moon album with my dad shortly after purchasing a pair of Infinity 4000 speakers that, to my ear, had exceptional accuracy and realism. This was late 70s/early 80s. As soon as I heard her sing, I was hooked. She was in the room with us! Years later, in my comically brief tenure as a sales consultant for United Audio (later Tweeter), that was my #1 song when a customer asked me to recommend a demo track.
    (By the way, your speaker placement video confirmed that the speaker placement in our store's audiophile listening room was pathetically poor. No wonder I was never blown away with the sound in that room...)

  • @TheTomryan123
    @TheTomryan123 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent choices for demo and reviewing discs. Coltrane is playing tenor sax. Cobb is 'caressing' his ride cymbal, not the hi-hat. Picky I know.

  • @trevorparmer5231
    @trevorparmer5231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I really enjoy your videos as they are both informative and delivered in a positive, inviting way, thank you. You asked what some of us listen to so I’ll respond briefly; Dominique Fils-Aime Stay Tuned! Album is excellent as is Mark Knopfler’s Tracker. For something more energetic and demanding my latest go-to is Tool’s Fear Fear Inoculum. Thanks again and I am going to sit down and give Carey Bell a listen.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for watching and sharing your suggestions Trevor 😊👍

  • @grantcooper1465
    @grantcooper1465 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My go to is Ryan Adams Ashes & Fire - have setup the system so it sounds like he is in the room just in front of me with drummer a metre or two behind him, can almost walk around the stage and the bass notes kick in your chest. Great slow acoustic album

    • @Frip36
      @Frip36 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      "...including exquisite coloring from Heartbreaker keyboardist Benmont Tench" - Stephen Thomas Erlewine

    • @leemartin2978
      @leemartin2978 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Live at Carnegie Hall is brilliant too . Well worth a listen

  • @sebastianpolcyn6358
    @sebastianpolcyn6358 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice picks, Tarun. I wasn't actually aware of Rage Against The Machine's audiophile status - I think I'll give it a shot, even though it's not entirely my cup of tea, and I'll definitely check out Carey Bell. Also, nice challenge. Unsurprisingly, I found limiting myself to just five tracks to cover everything I deem important difficult as heck, but here goes:
    1.) Joanna Newsom - Cosmia (Album: Ys); Very naturally recorded voice, Joanna's peculiar vocal style offers a lot to listen into, string section in background nice for judging soundstage scale/depth, good variety between soft and intense passages
    2.) Hindi Zahra - Imik Si Mik (Album: Hand Made); Picking out all the little elements that add up to the soundfield as well as interplay between lead and backup vocals are a good test for midrange resolution imo
    3.) Rodrigo y Gabriela - Amuleto (Album: Rodrigo y Gabriela); Amazing Guitarists, fantastically recorded, + a violin, what more do I need to say?
    4.) Squarepusher - Terminal Slam (Album: Be up a Hello); All the Drum'nBass goodness: Lots of dynamics, frilly percussion, heavy bass, squarewaves. A good system can really pick up the mood chancing throughout the piece
    5.) Asakusa Jinta - Kamata March (Album: Nip Pop); Crazy Japanese Mix of Klezmer, Funk and various other stuff. Wild and fast, using lots of different instruments + nice male lead vocals.
    Hardly an exhaustive list, tons of stuff missing that I would consider crucial (jazz, classical, Rock/metal...), but hey, that's the best I can do with 5 pieces. Cheers

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Sebastian, I also found it very difficult to limit myself to 5 tracks. Thank you for your suggestions. I am not familiar with them but will have to check them out when I get a chance 😊

  • @rayfordham9230
    @rayfordham9230 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hi Tarun
    I no longer have a list of tracks to use for demos ( I'm old) but I do
    remember back in the late 70s being "trapped "in a hotel room at a
    hi-fi exhibition with Ivor Tiefenbrun of Linn (sorry I have no idea how
    to spell that) and a group of hi-fi journalists, he was demonstrating
    an LP12 comparing it to another turntable. He was using Dire Straits
    Sultans of Swing and the main talking point was can you hear the rhythm
    guitar equally on both turntables, I did manage to escape but did use
    that track ,amongst others, to demo equipment for a long time afterwards.
    Thanks for that Tarun your list took me back a few years.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Ray. That is a great anecdote about a legend of the hifi industry. He certainly convinced a lot of people to spend more money on sources 😉👍

    • @roquesoprano913
      @roquesoprano913 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      👍👍👍👍👍

  • @HellsMaw
    @HellsMaw ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow this comment section is filled with great recommendations! Thanks for sharing everyone, I can't wait to give them all a good listen :)
    Let me try to contribute with 5 tracks that I think would be fantastic for various demo purposes:
    1. Hans Zimmer - Stillsuits
    2. Corpo-Mente - Fia
    3. Opeth - The Leper Affinity
    4. Infected Mushroom - Stretched
    5. Snowy White - Bird of Paradise
    I have to confess I'm still young, ignorant and poor, so I haven't actually had the opportunity to listen to these tracks on a good sound system.
    I'm planning on getting one soon, so I'm looking into it (thanks for the help Tarun!), and I'm very much looking forward to listening to all these great tracks.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you HM. Great suggestions. Good luck on your HiFi journey 😊👍

    • @typedeaf
      @typedeaf 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Nice. I think you should go your own way. Most audiophiles seem to stick to what old people told them was supposed to be good. Albums from over 50 yrs ago that quite honestly dont sound as good as they try so hard to make them out to be. Maybe try Dream Theater's album Awake for an alterative to Opeth, which didnt sound particularly amazing.

    • @HellsMaw
      @HellsMaw 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@typedeaf I agree! And thanks for the tip man, will definitely try it out.

  • @RobertDoyle1
    @RobertDoyle1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, You'd be so Nice to Come Home To. Also recorded in 1959 . It's my go to and sounds especially good on Magnepan speakers

  • @gregNFL
    @gregNFL 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Carey Bell; noted. Thanks for that. Added to Tidal faves. Your descriptions of these selections are very well done. Keep them coming.

  • @SpeakerBuilder
    @SpeakerBuilder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great promotion of the idea of not only auditioning system components with several carefully chosen and familiar pieces of music, but limiting that selection to just four or five. With those, one can either audition an entire system elsewhere, keeping in mind the entire system includes the listening environment as an important component, or audition individual components in A-B fashion on the system and in the room one is most familiar with at home. I am inclined towards more modern jazz selections, but I'll check these out for audition purposes, thanks for another great video.

  • @oijans
    @oijans ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great suggestions. I especially love the blues album. A great sounding album I never get tired of is Convergence with Malia & Boris Blank. It's worth trying out.

  • @Shoaibexpert
    @Shoaibexpert 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow. Nice recommendations. Every single song is extremely well recorded!

  • @Luxubu2020
    @Luxubu2020 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thank you for your list. I like it a lot.

  • @stephenbrickwood5148
    @stephenbrickwood5148 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hi Tarun, just wanted to say that on your recommendation I have just listened to Harpslinger by Carey Bell….omg sounds so amazing, quite rare to find a recording that sounds this good. Thank you and more of the same please, good work!

  • @thisisnev
    @thisisnev 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Back in the mid-80s The Blue Nile, It's Immaterial and Talk Talk were gear demo favourites. On a side note, Talk Talk's "The Colour Of Spring" album was the reason I bought my first CD player - every copy of the initial vinyl run had the same pressing flaw on Side 2.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for your suggestion buddy. How you doing? Great to hear from you 😊

    • @thisisnev
      @thisisnev 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@abritishaudiophile7314 I'm good, thanks! Currently enjoying a very early CD player (Ferguson CD02 - behind the fascia it's a Sony CDP-102). Sony hadn't developed a digital filter chip at the time, so it features an analogue filter - the high frequencies are sweet!

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Toxteth O'Grady 😊

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I am hoping to get my hands on NOS R2R DAC soon thisisnev. Can’t say too much as yet...

  • @dawnpatrol700
    @dawnpatrol700 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have particular songs I test stereos to -Honeydrippers " I get a thrill". Doobie Bros " you're made that way", Al Dimeola "Elegant Gypsy Suite", Boz Scaggs " harbor lights", sting " fortress around your heart", Joe Jackson " stepping out" , Robert Cray " right next door because of me", Sade - " Maureen", Chicago " hanky panky / lifesaver", steely Dan " black cow", Bruce Springsteen " tenth Avenue Freezeout"

  • @mohammedalomari1998
    @mohammedalomari1998 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks again Tarun
    My reference demo tracks are celine dion immortality, the power of love , think twice and peabo Bryson can you stop you the rain.
    These songs have unique artistic characteristics no other songs have, especially the introduction of Immortality and can you stop the rain. And i feel no any system is capable enough to reveal their majestic and sublime virtues.
    Kind regards and best wishes

  • @daveryandub
    @daveryandub ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another great video,thanks.going to copy your playlist and test it out on my system tonight

  • @brown-eyedman4040
    @brown-eyedman4040 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    'Kind of Blue' has so many great tracks and such sublime musicianship. Bill Evans in particular just pushes the beat forward with minimal effort. And every solo by all the players is just perfect with no one "shouting look at me".
    Imho, in the pre-digital days recording engineers were more careful with microphone placement and with the capture of the signal on the master tape. There was noway to "fix" a bad recording.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Brown-eyed-man. Love you insights 😊👍

    • @jimshaw899
      @jimshaw899 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes! What a collaboration. Never a competition, as sometimes happens (Hey, not bad, Dude, but watch this!). So relaxed, each contribution. So seemingly effortless. Especially Bill Evans, who often just adds the glue to hold it together. Flamenco Sketches is evocative, but so subtly so.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m totally agree Jim. Eloquently said 😉

    • @brown-eyedman4040
      @brown-eyedman4040 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jimshaw899 Every player, during every solo makes you ask to hear the next note. And it's always the right one! Nothing to be added and nothing extra.
      For me Beethoven symphonies are just like that too. Where is the score going next, then aha, of course.

  • @smu1690
    @smu1690 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I'm on carey Bell, Harpslinger, 👌 Never heard this guy before.
    The DB1'S are extremely good btw 😁

  • @howardskeivys4184
    @howardskeivys4184 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I think you were extremely courageous, to whittle your demo tracks to just 5. Here’s my 8:-
    Norah Jones, come away with me. A bit of an obvious choice, I know. But, you were absolutely right when you said the track had to be well mastered. This track is beautifully mastered and although it is a studio recording, not live, it really does, with the right system, sound like Norah is in the room with you, or, at least you are listening to her, live, in some intimate Jaz lounge!
    Mark Knopfler & James Taylor, Sailing to Philadelphia. This will really test the accuracy of your mid-range. Mark and James have very distinctively different male vocals, which can challenge some lesser systems. Add to that the speed and intricacies of Mark’s guitar playing, which if your mid-range is up to it, you should be easily able to differentiate between the tone and twang of the strings and the warmth of the guitar body.
    Metallica, Ride the white lightening. This, is a full on, furious and extremely busy track. With some very fast yet intricate guitar work, which on lesser systems could get blurred.
    Feline Dion, Think twice. A very well recorded track with extended bass on the one hand and the purity, strength and clarity of Celine’s vocals on the other. If your system’s tonal balance is overly bias, you could destroy one or more of this track’s virtues.
    Milk Inc, Walk on water. That 120bpm of the kick drum will really test the punch of your system’s mid-bass coupling. Linda’s powerful yet emotional vocals will show the quality of the integration between your mid and high frequency drivers.
    Mariah Carey, I want to know what love is. A beautiful track, beautifully recorded. This recording should come across as smooth as warm butter. Allowing the whisper and breathy qualities of Mariah’s vocals to shine, with no hint of graininess or harshness.
    Madonna, Vogue. I’ve heard this track dozens of times on multiple systems. It wasn’t until I plumbed in 2 Rel subs into my already full range system that I could fully appreciate the bass extension on this track and how there were qualities to the track that a lesser system just couldn’t bring out.
    AC/DC, Run to the hills. A classic track to push to the limits the dynamic headroom of any system with it’s jumps between quiet passages and furiously loud passages.
    What I have found, over the years, is that as I’ve upgraded my system, one component at a time, it has changed/influenced the music I like to listen to. Albums and artists that I used to relish listening to years ago, I can’t listen to any more. They don’t push my system to anywhere near it’s full potential or capability. So I tend now to listen to music that does. Those other trackas are still enjoyed played on my desk top set up, in my office.
    Keep up the good work and keep those videos and reviews rolling out.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Howard for the great suggestions and for providing such detailed descriptions 👍😊👍

  • @braatislav
    @braatislav วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great! Thanks allot. Will try them all. I have used ECM recordings in the past. One is particularly good, and not only for testing: KHMER, Nils Petter Molvaer. From my experience, if the system sounds good playing that one , it will sound great with anything else.

  • @robkraanen
    @robkraanen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I put a spell on you - Larry Carton / Robben Ford (Album:Unplugged) Really well recorded

  • @buffysteve
    @buffysteve 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hi Tarun, I always play Bluebird from Wing's Band on the Run album as my first choice.

  • @josefbuckland
    @josefbuckland 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Our test tracks are pretty similar. My video is about a year old no key changes other than I think I would add sure thing - st germain for wavy bass line against some isolated slides on the strings. Anyways im off to spin Bitches Brew still my fave MD album. Keep it Posh & Proper
    Pip pip cheerio

  • @jamesberryman9893
    @jamesberryman9893 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Brilliant list! Duke Ellington is absolutely mind blowing on my little cheap setup!

  • @svenschwingel8632
    @svenschwingel8632 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Finally someone who suggests some real music for listening tests 👍

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Sven 😊

    • @svenschwingel8632
      @svenschwingel8632 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@abritishaudiophile7314 you are very welcome. I really dislike what a lot of HiFi dealerships do with these specially-produced, effect-ridden "High End" music productions. This is borderlining on marketing strategies worthy of Bose.
      Personally, I really like Phil Upchurch's "Whatever Happened To The Blues" album for listening tests. It has some really deep electric bass lines, great drums and a beautiful jazz-blues guitar played by Upchurch himself.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I will have to check that one out Sven 😊

  • @jimshaw899
    @jimshaw899 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Good stuff, especially the Miles. I would add, presumptuously, some *solo piano.* Solo piano -- solo because the recording engineer has full options as to the room, the piano, and listening position. Piano because this instrument has an incredibly wide dynamic range. It has the softest pianissimo sounds and huge fortissimo chords. The piano has giant transients caused by the striking impacts of the strings followed by the resonance of the sound board. 50 dB ranges aren't uncommon. Also, a good piano recording will show off or show up a system that can't handle the huge transient spikes with clarity while still showing a clear, sweet character of its quietest and simplest passages.
    Add to that the piano's widest range of *fundamental* frequencies, from 32 Hz to 4186 Hz. Just the 2nd harmonic of C-8 is 8372 Hz, and the 3rd harmonic is over 12 kHz. And on, harmonics above that. With a dynamic range of 50 dB and a tonal range from 32 Hz to beyond human hearing, it's no wonder that recording 'engineers' obsess over truth in capturing piano sound.
    I personally like the recent recordings of pianists of the Jussen Brothers (esp. Beethoven), and those of Lang Lang (esp. Piano Book, the Schubert). Both are done by DG, who unarguably know what they are doing with these. Both artists demand the utmost from the recordists.
    Just one man's view. [Now, I'm back to listening to Miles, streamed from the master tapes at 24/192k]

    • @paznewis107
      @paznewis107 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Keith Jarrett 😏

    • @jimshaw899
      @jimshaw899 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@paznewis107 Agreed.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you Jim. Totally agree. I almost opted for Mari Kodami, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14. But it is hard to pick just 5 tracks 😊

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hi Paz, I love Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden, Last Dance album 😊

    • @paznewis107
      @paznewis107 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@abritishaudiophile7314 Koln concert has captivated me for almost 40 years.

  • @Anand.Asrani
    @Anand.Asrani 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey Tarun ! Love the details about each performer & Instruments 👌

  • @geoffreydebrito7934
    @geoffreydebrito7934 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My Top Five:
    Track: Flamenco Sketches - Album: Kind of Blue - Artist: Miles Davis
    Tracks; the Album Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov Conductor: Fritz Reiner - CSV
    Track: Resurrection Blues - Album: White African - Artist: Otis Taylor
    Track: Evergreen - Album: Beyond - Artist: Lucy Thomas
    Track: Jester & the Tyrant - Album: Romantic Warrior - Artist: Return to Forever

  • @haliltuner7355
    @haliltuner7355 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thanks for another great episode! I will be auditioning some Proacs on the weekend (D2, D2R and DT8).
    Got inspired by this video and put together a list of tracks to try out:
    - Song For My Father - Horace Silver
    - Number One - Manu Katche
    - Keith Don’t Go - Nils Lofgren
    - Pearls - Kandace Springs & Avishai Cohen
    - Hungry Ghost - Mehldau & Guiliana
    - Vivaldi, the Four Seasons, Concerto in Gm, RV 315 “Summer - Avi Avital & Venice Baroque Orchestra
    - Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great tracks Halil. I hope the audition goes well. Thank you for watching and your kind words of support 😊👍

    • @Mrfss1997
      @Mrfss1997 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bir türk ile karşılaşmayı hiç beklememiştim :) selam

  • @stiffted462
    @stiffted462 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Fab, thank you, will listen to all of these shortly

  • @dilbyjones
    @dilbyjones 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You have a great year to look forward to SIR . Killer quality in production terms

  • @billyboy67321
    @billyboy67321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Dire Straits-Communique is fantastic Analogue sounding vinyl. Eva Cassidy for female vocals. Just to name a few.

  • @phpn99
    @phpn99 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wonderful channel you have here, Tarun. One of my fetish tracks is "Teo" on the Miles Davis album "Someday my Prince will Come". On a different note, I'd be interested on your reviewing the new trend in Class-D amp designs by Bruno Putzeys (N-Core and Purifi). I reckon that KEF also deserves some attention (especially since they introduced their Reference, R series and the new Meta designs). There is also something to be said for studio monitors like Genelec's that have lots if interesting calibration features. In amp design, there's also the trend of THX AAA circuit topology, as exemplified by the Benchmark amp, which measures beyond anything else in the market. Lastly, there's a new trend of Chinese designed and build DACs, that offer top-tier value for money in resolution and distortion performance.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Phil. I am talking to manufacturer and almost all have responded positively. Most are struggling to fulfill orders at the moment due to strong demand (people spend more time at home i guess) and problems with their supply chain. The availability of demo gear to review is thin on the ground. Would love to get an affordable N-core amp in for review. Then compare it to one of Bruno’s latest designs at Purifi. Watch this space 😉👍

  • @MaxQNik
    @MaxQNik 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    First, let me thank you for discovering Carey Bell, an amazing virtuosity on the harmonica that takes your breath away!
    I don't like Celine Dion's straining while singing, but I did notice an interesting bass that rolls like a wave across the floor towards the listener, which, to be honest, doesn't belong in that song, but it's still impressive.
    Btw, my list would contain Finger on the trigger - Little Axe, The man who sold the world - Nirvana (unplagged), Time - Pink Floyd and Innuendo - Queen.

  • @writenamehere0000
    @writenamehere0000 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    How come you dont use any classical, symphony type of music among those 5? i thought you would have a lot of instruments at one place and be able to distinguish them or not.

  • @alekhidell3644
    @alekhidell3644 ปีที่แล้ว

    I know this video is from two years ago and I didn't read through all 1,200+ comments to see if someone already mentioned it, but my pedantic side can't help pointing out a couple of things about the opening comments about jazz in 1959 and 'Kind of Blue' in particular. You mention Chick Corea in the context of 1959, but he was still a teenager then and hadn't yet started his recording career. (Ornette Coleman would probably have been a better choice.) You also say that John Coltrane played alto sax when in fact he played tenor. Anyway, those piddly points aside, Tarun, I enjoy your channel very much!

  • @iliketohideincloset
    @iliketohideincloset 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Fiona Apple - Ladies
    Zero 7 - Morning Song
    Bob Marley - Jamming
    Another Sky - Riverbed
    John Williams in Vienna - Adventures on earth

  • @martijn2m
    @martijn2m 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow great reference tracks! Miles Davis and RATM are on my list as well. I would like to mention ~four others I often use for reference: Michael Jackson - Human Nature or Thriller (anything recorded by the late great Bruce Swedien), Beck - Morning, Pharrel - Gust Of Wind, Bob Marley - Natural Mystic. And recently i added Lost Lenore by Charlotte Gainsborough. Hope this might inspire new listening experience for others :-)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great suggestions, thank you for sharing 😊👍

    • @nitraM321
      @nitraM321 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gainsbourg !!! she is french :)

  • @mikeschumacher9715
    @mikeschumacher9715 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a beautiful layout and set up mate. An honor to hear.

  • @mtiken
    @mtiken 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome Tarun. I will have to listen your tracks and see if my humble system live up to my expectation. Great timing.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Tiken. Great to hear from you buddy 😉👍

    • @mtiken
      @mtiken 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Those speakers looks like Triangle Signature Theta. Looks awesome. Would love to know more hear from you how it sounds also.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They are the Trios Tiken. Review pending 😊

  • @hrvojekant9415
    @hrvojekant9415 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Outstanding presentation again. Very useful indeed, as always.
    Best regards and enjoy your weekend!

  • @kevinoshea8898
    @kevinoshea8898 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hi Tarun
    Firstly, great video and video choice, really enjoyed it ... But.. I’m left really needing to know your ‘Real’ female vocal first choice??
    Ps. The thing I like most about Tell Him is the effort two great artist put in to make this sound as good as it could be 😊
    Keep up the good work and thanks as always.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hi Kevin, thank you, much appreciated. I just spent 20 minutes pondering of a response to your question and I can’t come up with an answer. When I am in different moods, I listen to different genres. At the moment I am in a soulful mood. Just listened to...
      Aretha Franklin, Today I Sing The Blues
      Nina Simone, Backlash Blues
      Gladys Knight, Where Peaceful Waters Flow
      Now how can you choose between those 3 tracks and that is just one genre. Thank you for the excellent question. Sorry, I can’t come up with an adequate response 😊👍👍

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Kris, it makes getting speaker positioning right a little more tricky but doesn’t act as a Hermholz resonator as it has quite a lot of stuff in it. The log burner, logs, card and paper (used as kindling) accessories, candle holders break up standing waves pretty well and provides a bit of diffusion in a non linear manner.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good luck Kris 😉

  • @winstondhanraj
    @winstondhanraj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So Demo tracks change over time, this is my current standing top 5 -
    1. You want it Darker - Leonard Cohen (there’s some voodoo on this track that a PSB Imagine B conveyed to me, replayed with Emit 20 immediately and it wasn’t there, couldn’t find it over decent Sennheisers too, so good test track…)
    2. Hunger - Hendrix Ackle (Excellent frequency range - sweet piano notes, smooth rich baritone vocals, wonderfully rhythmic, pacy base guitar sections and deep solid percussion with superb reverb and decay)
    3. Benedictus - Simon and Garfunkel (Aah ! the Stereo imaging)
    4. Like a Dog Chasing Cars - Hans Zimmer (Unfair on most bookshelf speakers, but yeah how close can you get??)
    5a. Ave Maria - Beyonce (how delicate can that vibrato be at the very top-end?)
    5b. Kalvare - A.R. Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal (Pure unadulterated Rahman magic, please bring out those Beryllium tweeters and musical subs, probably has the best Sound Engineers working with him)
    ...cheated a bit, please excuse :-)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mine change periodically too winstondhanraj. Thank you for watching and sharing your suggestions 😊

  • @Norman-bone13
    @Norman-bone13 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I agree with your description of Bill Evan’s piano playing on Kind of Blue. He is a master of piano. Less can be more. 👍🏼🎶

  • @markcarrington8565
    @markcarrington8565 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for the list, Tarun. Certainly some new ones for me to think about.
    Mine would include:
    Diana Krall, The Girl in the Other Room, track Departure Bay. It amazes me that some criticise Diana's singing for lack of emotion, however, if you can't hear it in Departure Bay, it's time to upgrade.
    Alison Kraus and Union Station, Lovely Runs Both Ways, one track each for female and male lead. This is a great way to see how the system controls "ringing" in the upper registers of female vocal and you get fantastic gravelly male vocals thrown in. Separation of instruments and placement in the soundstage is also tested really well with all those banjos and guitars being spaced out so clearly.
    Steely Dan, Aja, title track. Superb album with many virtuoso performances to follow in the mix but, in particular, for getting lost in Steve Gadd's drum solos.
    Master and Commander, official movie soundtrack. Certainly the best movie soundtrack I've heard on my system. If it's orchestral scale you want, you have it in spades on the opening track. Just make sure you haven't been too ambitious on the volume control before you get back to your seat! Shame the movie didn't match up to the sound track.
    For a straight rock album, Supertramp, Crime of the Century, tracks: School, Bloody Well Right, Rudy. Actually, any track will do, it's just fantastically produced album that should give the whole system a workout.
    Probably have another five by next week but anyway, thanks for making me do that. :-)

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Mark. Great suggestions and analysis. Thank you for watching and sharing 😉👍

  • @maxh4296
    @maxh4296 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great selection - that Miles Davis album is awesome 👍
    Check out Tom’s Diner: Suzanne Vega for pinpoint centre stereo image and Bird On A Wire: Jennifer Warnes for one of the best produced recordings ever.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you MaxH. Will do 😊👍

    • @thomasrandleman7057
      @thomasrandleman7057 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I always appreciate your comments and recommendations . Three albums which I have found extremely revealing of a system for realistic and to me “religious experience “ elements with nuance, stop what you’re doing and just listen, are: Jazz Poll Winners/Columbia CS 814. Track Selection is Don Elliot& Kenny Burrell. “Poll Tax.” Greg Allman Band I’m No Angel/CBS. Track Selection is “It’s Not My CrossTo Bear.”
      Marvin Jenkins, Big City Polomar G24001 (mono). Track Selection is “I’m Always Drunk In San Francisco.” For a number of reasons these albums always make me remember when I feel in love with audio. My fist record was “Sarah Vaughan In HI FI. My second was “Kind Of Blue.”
      You never forget your first exciting and memorable experiencing records. By the way, all of selections are and were LPs.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It is great how powerful music can be. Literally provides the soundtrack to our lives. Thank you for your suggestions Thomas 😊👍

    • @Frip36
      @Frip36 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'd forgotten about her. Good low-key voice. Sings like an adult. Unlike many female adult-contemporary/folk artists these days who specialize in sounding like little girls.

  • @1Keef
    @1Keef 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks mate for an excellent review of your favourite audiophile tracks. It is in someways a subjective exercise as we tend to chose tracks from artists we really enjoy. My top five audiophile tracks are:
    1. I’m An Old Cowhand by Sonny Rollins from the album Way Out West
    2. Natural Mystic by Bob Marley from the album Exodus (it has incredible dynamics) MFSL Gold Disc
    3. Money by Pink Floyd (Mobile Fidelity Gold Disc)
    4. Chameleon by Herbie Hancock from the album Headhunters
    5. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson from the album Thriller

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Totally subjective Keef. Thank you for watching and sharing your suggestions 😊👍

  • @normanham6142
    @normanham6142 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love that you included Carey Bell👍🏼😎

  • @frankradewagen3488
    @frankradewagen3488 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Congratulations to your great channel. What is a great gear without great records? I really enjoyed your selection of fine recordings and just wanted to invite you to some special endeavour. Have you ever travelled the world from your listening seat? If so, fine. If not, give the record „Nightlife - Sounds of the City“ a try. I guarantee you will be beamed around the world by listening to this marvellous live recordings. Another record which captures the live atmosphere, like I’ve never imagined it to be possible, is „Tango vivo!“. Both records appeared on the Label „Winter & Winter“. And they have a bunch of other phantastic records, e.g „Paul Motian - Standards plus One“. Check out the track „How deep is the ocean“ for a great Bass line by Charlie Haden. After listening to this records it appears to me, that most other record engineers are at least missing something or the guys at „Winter & Winter“ must have found the Holy Grail of authentic recording. Be prepared to indulge in a complete new dimension of musical experience.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Frank. Very kind and greatly appreciated. I shall be checking out those suggestions 👍😊👍

  • @lappuse
    @lappuse 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My tracks for testing system:
    Allan Taylor - The Beat Hotel
    Chris Jones & Steve Baker - Long After Your're Gone
    Heilung - Alfadhirhaiti
    Ursine Vulpine feat. Annaca - Wicked Game
    Ariane Moffat - SOS d`un Terrien en Detresse
    Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence

  • @Norman-bone13
    @Norman-bone13 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Carey Bell! I’m impressed! 🎵🎼

  • @thewoofer7955
    @thewoofer7955 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Luv the channel and thanks for sharing your top tracks. One question. There seems to be a lot of echo in this video. Did u change something? I can’t imagine that would be good for reviewing equipment. 😮

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you. It was an old video with mic problems 😊

  • @steveb796
    @steveb796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Dire straights love over gold for me.

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I could do a whole video on my love of Dire Straits 😊

    • @roquesoprano913
      @roquesoprano913 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      A British Audiophile do it Tarun 👍👍👍

    • @SaltedFishPilot
      @SaltedFishPilot 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      On Every Street: You And Your Friend has been my go-to for decades, even for car setup and headphones 😆

    • @abritishaudiophile7314
      @abritishaudiophile7314  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SaltedFishPilot great tracks 😊