OK, speaking of test tracks -- if you could pick only ONE LP track to evaluate a phono preamp...

mhardy6647
mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
in 2 Channel Audio
which one would you pick?

This isn't a rhetorical device; I have a sacred duty pending to evaluate a bunch of phono preamps (including, ahem, @mrbiron's :p ). Nothin' in it for me but the glory. :)

It seems to me that the "best" thing to do is to play a specific album track on each candidate and rip (as the kids would say) the result so that easy comparison of the sound (albeit plus any artifacts associated with ADC and then DAC to listen to the digitized results) after the fact, and in perpetuity.

I did this, on a small scale, a few years ago (ahem, yes with a couple of @mrbiron's preamps!), using Dave Brubeck's Take Five. That was OK, but it's a little long and I got tired of hearing it over and over again!

So...

I am looking for suggestions of one track.
  • Well recorded, mastered & pressed.
  • Excellent music :)
  • Not too long
  • Reasonably dynamic (and, ideally, fairly interesting)

I figured that I'd do better to ask some folks for suggestions than to leave it to my own devices!

Thanks for your attention & consideration!

25277999734_db5e0833e2_b.jpgDSC_2913 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
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Comments

  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    I wish you the best Mark. Anytime I try to evaluate audio equipment using the same track, repeatedly, it eventually becomes fatiguing. Hopefully someone will chime in with a track that’s new to you and fits the bill.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
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  • Manticore
    Manticore Posts: 408
    One of my favorites is the track Free on Stan Kenton Plays Chicago. Absolutely wonderful sounding track, IMHO. There are many really nice recordings on that LP/CD.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    I would recommend any record that is part of the Opus 3 test record series. They are recordings that have a "what you should hear" explanation and can clearly show what's happening (or not happening) in an audio system.
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  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 785
    I Robot by The Alan Parsons Project "I wouldn't want to be like you". But any track off that album will be suffice IMO.
    2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)

    Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods
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  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,083
    Orff.
    Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: O Fortuna.

    Specifically this pressing

    atx2fkt9soq1.png
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    A day in the life... Or something from the Moody Blues.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited May 2018
    "Ride Across the River", by Dire Straits.
    https://youtu.be/rSZzyGXCTQk
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,017
    edited May 2018
    n/a
    I disabled signatures.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Take Five
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

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  • Jaybeez
    Jaybeez Posts: 748
    My "go to" track for many of my audio decisions is "Hotel California" from the "Hell Freezes Over" album.
    Acoustic guitars challenge the mid-range while the Conga pair reveals the low end.
    "Great Gig in the Sky" from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon is a keeper as well.
    2 Channel "Polk" Room:

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    Thanks for the suggestions, folks!

    Feel free to add more if the spirit moves you.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    1st track off Crime of the Century from the 1/2 speed mastered record. It may be a bit too long though.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    Anything by Mark Knopfler.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited May 2018
    Or Steve Wilson from Porcupine Tree.

    I've read he's a detail oriented writer, producer, and composer. The people in the business say he's a musical genius. :p

    Just like Mark Knopfler. ;)B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    A short great system resolution test is in Pink Floyd / The Wall; The simultaneous kick drum/choked snare at the beginning of The Happiest Days Of Our Lives.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited May 2018
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    A short great system resolution test is in Pink Floyd / The Wall; The simultaneous kick drum/choked snare at the beginning of The Happiest Days Of Our Lives.

    When he/we got done with the soldering of my modded DAC, Rich played this one note through it, pronounced it good, and sent me home.



    :wink:
    Jay
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    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2018
    agfrost wrote: »

    When he/we got done with the soldering of my modded DAC, Rich played this one note through it, pronounced it good, and sent me home.



    :wink:

    Good times! B)

    A demo track from an LP I like to use is from Talk Talk, Colour of Spring, Happiness Is Easy. IIRC it has a 16dB dynamic range. There are four real live percussionists, a closely mic'd bass fiddle, Hollis and his nasally vocals, a children's choir and Steve Winwood on the organ. You can also cue out once the bass fiddle kicks in. Sounds seems to be thrown out until they build and layer it. It is a great transitional album from them.

    Other than that, look to classical for a higher dynamic range.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    ANY MFSL track mastered by Stan Ricker...
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Porcupine Tree - Blackest Eyes is a recent fave.

    But I love some Knopfler - Making Movies
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    h3a633z4gc7p.jpeg

    I have the original 1982 Album, and sounds realllly good, the whole album is very dynamic as well.
    2 channel:
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    Theater:
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    edited May 2018
    Linda Ronstadt's Por Un Amor from the Canciones De Mi Padre Album is a good reference track for me. Lots going on and recorded very well. Will link the live version but the Vinyl pressing is superb.

    https://youtu.be/rJfXiOrK7t4

    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    mikeyb128 wrote: »
    h3a633z4gc7p.jpeg

    I have the original 1982 Album, and sounds realllly good, the whole album is very dynamic as well.

    I just picked up a copy - finally - about a month ago (believe it or not!).
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    I picked up this copy from George Grand a couple years ago, also good SQ edition. I really also like his last two LPs on vinyl.

    ek0hdk754qw4.jpeg
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  • mpitogo
    mpitogo Posts: 504
    Test deep bass performance I would recommend Solar Sailer from Tron Legacy soundtrack.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    Wait....I have a phone preamp?!


    :D
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Tin Pan Alley
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    mrbiron wrote: »
    Wait....I have a phone preamp?!




    :D

    ohno, phone, a phono preamp, champ?
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    Auto correct....maybe.... ;)
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    mrbiron wrote: »
    Auto correct....maybe.... ;)

    I like your thinking, but we don't have spellcheck on the Heathkit here, you know? ;)

    15947088165_bd40b4f045_b.jpgHeathkit analog computer by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    No....no, I don't know. :|

    Like always, I'm just glad to see you are actually using it. The Mrs. And I are meeting with a builder this week which means even less time on my hands.

    Make sure you don't feed it junk food after 8, leave a night light on, and it's always wanted to go to Disney. You can be it's father now :(
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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