My Top 5 Audiophile Demo Tracks

[@JukeboxAlley]

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!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@budgethometheaterandhifi]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@chasingpowder200]

Michael Jackson?

[@budgethometheaterandhifi]

@@chasingpowder200 Yup! It's a great recording.

[@chasingpowder200]

Did you hear about the stuff with the kids?

[@budgethometheaterandhifi]

@@chasingpowder200 I heard allegations. I didn't hear anything was proven. Dude was definitely a weirdo, regardless it's still a solid track.

[@georgekallinikos9602]

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]

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

[@gemmakaru9685]

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)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Great choices Gemma. Thank you for sharing 😊👍

[@sbatty65227]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Steven 👍

[@TheDjcarlos67]

Nice list 🎶📃

[@bongofury3176]

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]

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

[@davidadamus177]

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

[@78sound]

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

[@jackwezesa1081]

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

[@joaquinbarreto9398]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Most welcome 😊👍

[@Gavrik_Korogodskiy]

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

[@bbfoto7248]

​@@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]

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

[@Gavrik_Korogodskiy]

@@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

[@ssks1979]

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]

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 😊

[@foxdenham]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Pip 👍

[@CobraChamp]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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

[@kingmonkey88]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Din 😉

[@azombiestool]

Going to listen to this

[@dietznutz1]

That's some really weird shit right there

[@welshrarebit9238]

You must be a fan of what hifi

[@kingmonkey88]

@@welshrarebit9238 Lol. Is that what they use?

[@DaCajunJoe]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@danthemanwhocancan]

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]

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]

awesome!

[@petethegreekre]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@petethegreekre thank you. Much appreciated 😊👍👍

[@hueroski]

Got em"

[@anthony2010707]

Thanks Tarun, tried the Miles Davis tack, great sound, thanks again, keep up the good work. 👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@anthony2010707 thank you 😊

[@meerajsarkar9247]

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 ...

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Agreed. Thank you Meeraj 😊

[@garyalexander5686]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Gary 😊👍

[@paultasker7788]

I second that

[@ac81017]

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]

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

[@davidstein9129]

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

[@Frip36]

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

[@ronanderson9553]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😉

[@marcgabor9690]

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]

Thank you for sharing Marc 😊

[@leodesforges161]

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

[@hirdeshirde]

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)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@freshoutofboat4287]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching and commenting 😊👍

[@garypoole716]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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 😊👍

[@jasonfallon4968]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@RJ_Chicago]

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]

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 😊👍

[@lukavajagic3914]

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]

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

[@davidteague3849]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks, I just learned something new.

[@philstevens9914]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I have that album in high res. Thank you for sharing 😊👍

[@johnb6677]

Also the "The Thrill is Gone" is a great track for vocals.

[@cravenmoore7778]

Always looking for artists I don't have. Thank you very much 👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching 👍

[@cjpriustt]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Excellent suggestions. Thank you buddy 😊👍

[@daniloreyes2]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I appreciate you watching and commenting 😊👍

[@brothergrubenski2603]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Great album. I have a high res copy that sounds great 😊

[@brothergrubenski2603]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 is that an SACD ?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@brothergrubenski2603 nope, part of a high res library I inherited 😊

[@stevelanemusic4463]

Mine as well..!!!

[@bryanguest2807]

I cant listen to this song and not start pelivis thrusting

[@jamesberryman9893]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you kindly 😊👍

[@maxh4296]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Max. I appreciate your support 😊👍

[@markallenster]

I agree! Good confirmation on where the players are in the soundstage!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Mark 😊👍

[@HellsMaw]

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]

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

[@typedeaf]

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]

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

[@trevorparmer5231]

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]

Thank you for watching and sharing your suggestions Trevor 😊👍

[@daveryandub]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 I hope you enjoy the tracks 😊

[@freddy1382]

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! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Freddy 😊👍

[@frederf69]

You have better taste in music than many reviewers 😎🎶

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy 😊👍

[@dawnpatrol700]

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"

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@sanjayh8645]

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]

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

[@DesignVisStudios]

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]

Great suggestions. Thank you DVS 😊👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Kris 😊

[@rogermiller6332]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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.

[@dilbyjones]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you TR. Much appreciated. Happy new year to you 😊👍

[@pedrobandeira3575]

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]

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

[@courtneyswaby3178]

Just decided to listen to flamenco sketches amazing 1959 the year I was born and today is my birthday!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Happy birthday Courtney. 🥳👍🥳👍 You were born in a very auspicious year. 1959, the year that changed Jazz forever. Have you heard Dave Brubeck’s Take Five album from that year? Here is a link to a great documentary about Jazz in the year of your birth… kzbin.info/www/bejne/emKmfJaPrbKAn9E

[@courtneyswaby3178]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks for the recommendation and yes I have been listening to Brubeck over the years. I've been collecting and listening music since 1970. Lol!

[@courtneyswaby3178]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Sorry man I just saw your reply yes I've explored take five in different formats over the years I am always open to listen and end up liking all kinds and flavor's lol! thanks for the link I use KZbin premium so I'm in for a treat. Thanks.😄

[@VickyLovesHeadphones]

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]

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

[@Norman-bone13]

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. 👍🏼🎶

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Norman-bone13 my wife agrees 😊👍

[@thomasbrice8884]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Thomas 😊

[@marineboy6033]

A remarkably insightful and useful video!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you MB. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@richardherbert3519]

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]

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]

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

[@Luxubu2020]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Luxubu2020 thank you 😊

[@guyfforde3082]

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]

Thanks 😊Guy. I am on to it

[@markknight6445]

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.

[@normanham6142]

Love that you included Carey Bell👍🏼😎

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊👍

[@RobertDoyle1]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

One of my favourites. Thank you Robert 😊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching and commenting Baba Ganush 😊

[@mikeschumacher9715]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Mike. Very much appreciated 😊👍

[@oijans]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I will check it out 😊

[@WisGuy4]

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]

Great 👍 thank you for sharing your experiences 😊

[@svenschwingel8632]

Finally someone who suggests some real music for listening tests 👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Sven 😊

[@svenschwingel8632]

@@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]

I will have to check that one out Sven 😊

[@gregNFL]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Greg 😊👍

[@Shoaibexpert]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Shoaib 😊👍

[@michaelkreisel3573]

I’ve read many of the comments. And because so many participated and shared some of there references. I do appreciate your list and the descriptions to why you chose each track. Technically you gave specifics what to listen for. And because I have a home theatre and a two channel system I could really appreciate your picks. Thanks ❤ Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey are great female references. Stripped is one of my all time favorite albums. They didn’t make it big just cuz they were hot

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@michaelkreisel3573 thank you 😊

[@grantcooper1465]

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]

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

[@leemartin2978]

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

[@totofan962]

Roxy Music - Avalon (Song) HDCD. Simply brilliant sound.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 👍

[@iliketohideincloset]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Jan

[@lebohang8405]

Wow!! Afro Bossa sounded so so big and wide. I could hear some instruments on my left and right hand side. This is new to me

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

One of my favourite albums of all time 😊

[@stephenbrickwood5148]

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!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Most welcome 👍

[@thisisnev]

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]

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

[@thisisnev]

@@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]

Thank you Toxteth O'Grady 😊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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

[@mohammedalomari1998]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thanks Mohammed 🙂

[@smu1690]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Stuart. They are probably still running in 😊👍

[@MarcVerschaeren]

Great playlist. Thanks for sharing.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching Marc 😊👍

[@haliltuner7355]

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]

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

[@Mrfss1997]

Bir türk ile karşılaşmayı hiç beklememiştim :) selam

[@remic2902]

Thank you for these recommendations.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

You are most welcome 😊👍

[@robkraanen]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thaknow you Rob 😊

[@Altaruler]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@stiffted462]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Stiff Ted 😊👍

[@TheTomryan123]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Tom. I appreciate the heads up 👍

[@brown-eyedman4040]

'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]

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

[@jimshaw899]

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]

I’m totally agree Jim. Eloquently said 😉

[@brown-eyedman4040]

@@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.

[@jeffchastain2977]

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]

@@jeffchastain2977 thank you Jeff 😊

[@stephenpugh6257]

Awesome……. Thank you ❤

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Just gave it a listen, good one thx 👍

[@martijn2m]

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]

Great suggestions, thank you for sharing 😊👍

[@nitraM321]

Gainsbourg !!! she is french :)

[@PurpleDreki]

Huge fan of your channel! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for good sound!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Much appreciated PD 😊👍

[@hrvojekant9415]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Hrvoje. You too, I hope the sun is shining 😊👍

[@Anand.Asrani]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Anand 😊👍

[@buffysteve]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Steven 👍

[@braatislav]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@braatislav thank you for watching 👍

[@jimshaw899]

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]

Keith Jarrett 😏

[@jimshaw899]

@@paznewis107 Agreed.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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]

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

[@paznewis107]

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

[@mtiken]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

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

[@mtiken]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

They are the Trios Tiken. Review pending 😊

[@billyboy67321]

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

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Totally agree. Thank you Billza Music man 😊

[@PadmaDorjee]

Thanks man, this is fantastic information to help a beginner like me. Love from DownUnder

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching and the kind words of support Padma. Much appreciated 👍😊👍

[@phpn99]

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]

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 😉👍

[@wallstreetcrash1]

Hi..there.. An interesting conversation indeed.. I will certainly try some of your recommendations on my all new hi-fi set up. Acoustic, Nirvana here I come.. Thanks for posting ..KCB👍🙂🇬🇧

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 👍

[@maxh4296]

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]

Thank you MaxH. Will do 😊👍

[@thomasrandleman7057]

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]

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

[@Frip36]

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.

[@TheChrisleekay]

Such a useful informative episode! Thanks Tarun :)

[@TheChrisleekay]

I'm not sure how useful for solid state owners this is other than people who can just go out and buy new kit if their present isn't coming up to scratch on some of the tracks! But its really useful for me with a hybrid amp. I can roll the tubes and see what changes thats makes on the tracks Tarun mentioned, nice! ;)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I very much appreciate you watching. I bet the tube rolling will be fun 😊👍

[@MichaelBrodie68]

Hello Tarun, and thank you. I was particularly struck by your comment about trumpets. Two of the pieces I always use for auditioning speakers and set up have key trumpet passages. My favourite is Chan Chan - Buena Vista Social Club, and... J.S. Bach BWV 29 Wir danken dir, Gott, Wir danken dir - especially the opening movement - a wonderful recording of this can be found at allofbach.com by the Netherlands Bach Society. There are other tracks (there always are)...Time by Hans Zimmer from the movie Inception is great for volume range, bass power. I greatly look forward to listening to your recommendations. Liked, subscribed and hit the notify bell. Great channel thanks!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Hi Michael, great tracks that you mentioned. Thank you for watching and your support. It is very much appreciated. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones 🥳👍

[@MichaelBrodie68]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks Tarun for your quick response. It's great to see the passion you have both for audio and your channel. At the risk of going on too much, I thought it useful to mention female vocals. My three favourites... 1. Kate Miller-Heidke - Caught in the Crowd - incredibly well produced vocals 2. Likewise Lorde - Tennis Court 3. Lily Allen

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@MichaelBrodie68 thank you Michael 😉

[@kenishida7146]

Carey Bell track is sweet. Expansive soundstage! Nice pick!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@markcarrington8565]

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]

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

[@davekwiecinski]

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...)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. Great to hear about your experiences 👍

[@frankradewagen3488]

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]

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

[@SpeakerBuilder]

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.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching SB 😊👍

[@kevinoshea8898]

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]

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]

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]

Good luck Kris 😉

[@winstondhanraj]

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]

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