Can anyone recommend a good quality CD?

tcrossma
tcrossma Posts: 1,301
edited January 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm looking for a good quality CD in order to use as a reference. The type of music doesn't matter exactly, but I want something that I can trust is well recorded so I can know it's not the CD holding my system back.

I have the Brother In Arms SACD and it sounds absolutely amazing but none of my 2-channel CD's sound nearly as good. Almost my entire CD collection was purchased in the 80's so i'm thinking that most are just not well mastered? Who knows, but once I get a new, well mastered CD i'll know for sure.

thanks,
tim
Speakers: Polk LSi15
Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
Amp: Pass Labs X-150
CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
Cartridge:Denon DL-160
Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
Post edited by tcrossma on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2008
    Anything by Donald Fagen. Excellent recordings; Morph the Cat, Night Fly or Steely Dan "2 against nature."
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,775
    edited January 2008
    Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage
    Frank Zappa - Them or Us
    Al Di Meola - Kiss my Axe
    Steely Dan - The Royal Scam
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2008
    Anything from the Eagles.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited January 2008
    Steely Dan - Aja
    Robert Lucas - Luke and the Locomotives
    George Faber - Blues
    Larry Carlton - Sapphire Blue
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited January 2008
    Thanks guys. I think i'll pick up some Steely Dan and see how it sounds.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2008
    Nickel Creek - the latest one, can't remember the name of the CD.
    Jazz at the Pawnshop - the XRCD release
    Patricia Barber - any of the XRCD releases
    Miles Davis - the latest 30th anniv remastered CD releases
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    Any Norah Jones CD.
    Venom
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited January 2008
    I like DSOTM for soundstage and imaging reference.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited January 2008
    Fleetwood mac, rumours..
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • daniel_paul_
    daniel_paul_ Posts: 189
    edited January 2008
    Dave Matthews - crash (especially percussion)
    Bare naked ladies - gordon (good for voices)
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited January 2008
    Gomez
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited January 2008
    Anything on the Mobil Fidelity Sound Labs or Telarc labels.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2008
    I second the fleetwood mac rumors CD. It is one of the CD's that I use for reference.
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  • Music Joe
    Music Joe Posts: 459
    edited January 2008
    Alison Krauss Union Station Live. It just gets better with each positive change.
    "The Web is a monoblog"
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2008
    Lindsey Buckingham,,"Out of the Cradle"
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited January 2008
    george daniel wrote: »
    Lindsey Buckingham,,"Out of the Cradle"

    do you think around age 13 or 14 he went up to his Dad and cracked him in the mouth for letting his Mom name him Lindsey, Christ I would still be kicking his ****
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2008
    Amused to Death
    by Rogar Waters
    Mind blowing 2 channel recording on non SDA's.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    Try getting "The World's greatest Audiophile Vocal Recordings" 2006, Chesky records.

    www.chesky.com

    It is an SACD hybrid that is a challenge for a rig to get correct. It is one reference that I use in many systems I listen to. It will let you know whether or not the rig is over-pondering, accurate and revealing. I only like two of the songs, but I listen to it every time I introduce a new IC/SC/PC or component. I'll know very quickly as to whether or not whatever I did worked or not. I hope this helps.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    From another thread.....

    http://johnvestman.com/commercial_cds.htm
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Amused to Death
    by Rogar Waters
    Mind blowing 2 channel recording on non SDA's.

    +1
    treitz3 wrote: »
    From another thread.....

    http://johnvestman.com/commercial_cds.htm

    Thanks for that link.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    The Rippingtons
    Peter Cincotti
    Diana Krall
    Basia
    Enya
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited January 2008
    (EDIT: These are all available as very good redbook CDs, per the original post)

    Patty Larkin Strangers World (actually most anything by Patty, but the recording on this one's superb)

    Wailin Jennys 40 Days

    Blue Man Group Audio (boom...)

    Jennifer Warnes The Hunter and Famous Blue Raincoat (new 20th anniv. version of the latter available on CD and vinyl)

    Little Feat Waiting for Columbus (the expanded, remastered Rhino version on CD, original release or MoFi on vinyl)

    Grateful Dead American Beauty (MoFi vinyl is very best, IMNSHO)

    Jerry Garcia and David Grisman Not for Kids Only

    Sonny Clark Cool Struttin (a token jazz inclusion from a non-jazz fan)

    Sarah MacLachlan Surfacing

    Various artists Deadicated (Grateful Dead tribute CD)

    Various artists Live From the River Music Hall, Vol. 1 (from WXRV-FM Haverhill, MA... might be a tad tricky to find)
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited January 2008
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Patty Larkin Strangers World (actually most anything by Patty, but the recording on this one's superb)

    For incredible female vocals, depth, imaging, soundstage width and guitar chords that decay into tomorrow, check out Patty Larkins Regrooving The Dream. The blistering drum and guitar solo When will stress test a system.
    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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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited January 2008
    Thanks for the all the input guys. I picked up Norah Jones and Steely Dan and both sound excellent on my system. I'm going to start expanding my library over the next few months and I think i'll work on getting a bunch of the others listed here.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited January 2008
    Andreas Vollenweider - White Winds
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited January 2008
    For incredible female vocals, depth, imaging, soundstage width and guitar chords that decay into tomorrow, check out Patty Larkins Regrooving The Dream. The blistering drum and guitar solo When will stress test a system.

    FWIW, I really like Beg to Differ from Regrooving the Dream. There's a very low-frequency whoomp mixed in there that's amazing on speakers that will properly reproduce it (the Cornies did).
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  • ledhed
    ledhed Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2008
    Damien Rice - O
    God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited January 2008
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    For incredible female vocals, depth, imaging, soundstage width and guitar chords that decay into tomorrow, check out Patty Larkins Regrooving The Dream. The blistering drum and guitar solo When will stress test a system.

    Not to mention the driving Burning Down. Thanks for reminding me of this album. I think I have a new favorite Patty Larking song.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2008
    Sarah Brightman - Timeless
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited January 2008
    Some great suggestions here. I'll add:

    Dave Matthews - Some Devil
    Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets
    Tool - Lateralus
    Cake - Fashion Nugget
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