Whats your BEST Sounding CD

13

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    George Michaels' "Faith" CD will test the dynamic output capabilities of your amp and speakers--you've been warned. Especially the "Hard Day" remix. Also a very cool demo song as the bass line is incredible.

    This is the only CD I ever had that would actually flicker my clipping LED's on 2 bridged Soundcraftsmen PM-840's (mid 1980's rig)...that's 600 watts RMS, 1200 watts peak!
    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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  • 55LS70
    55LS70 Posts: 184
    edited May 2009
    Ten Years After-A Space in Time (Japanese Mini-LP)
    Wishbone Ash-Noveau Calls (British Import)
    Led Zeppelin III (Japanese Mini-LP)
    Robin Trower-Bridge of Sighs (Remaster)
    Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's

    Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC

    Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
    upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand

    Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's

    H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited May 2009
    55LS70 wrote: »
    Robin Trower-Bridge of Sighs (Remaster)

    Really....how does it sound?

    I've heard some 'remasters' that weren't all that impressive.

    Bridge of Sighs would be a worthy rebuy if the remaster was done right.

    Thoughts?

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,208
    edited May 2009
    Tom Petty: Wildflowers Not his best work, but the SQ is great.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • 55LS70
    55LS70 Posts: 184
    edited May 2009
    Erik,

    Yes, Bridge of Sighs sounds great. To me, it's one of those CD's that one wouldn't expect much from. It turned out to be one of my better sounding CD's. A very powerful, clear remix with a large soundstage. It also isn't too bright. I see you also have a Cambridge Audio 640C V2. Some of the CD's that I felt sounded pretty good on my old Denon are a little too bright on the Cambridge Audio. Most of those were old CD's I purchased in the 80's and 90's though. Not so much with newer CD's. Regards.
    Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's

    Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC

    Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
    upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand

    Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's

    H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
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  • cdn5003
    cdn5003 Posts: 144
    edited May 2009
    Metallica's black album and Sheryl Crow greatest hits. Couldn't be much different but both sound great.
    HT Setup: Onkyo 706; Rotel RB-1075; Rti A3; Csi A6; Fxi3's

    2 CH: Squeezebox Touch; Dared SL-2000a; GoldenEar Triton 5 or Lsi9's; Parasound 2125; SVS SB12-NSD; Music Hall DAC 25.2
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited May 2009
    Keb Mo Slow Down. Sounds Great. But so do all of his CD's. Problem is that his CD's are recorded so well that it makes most other recordings sound lackluster in comparison. IMOYMMV.

    None the less I will print this thread and start picking up some of these recordings, I am jonesing for some new music.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,185
    edited May 2009
    Ten Years After - A Space in Time
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited May 2009
    ...get into Jazz - by far the best genre to test your equipment.

    - Patricia Barber - any of her cd's. Audiophiles LUV her recordings. All well RECORDED.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited May 2009
    I am playing for the first time a Lara St. John classical CD, and am impressed how good it sounds.

    http://www.amazon.com/Hindson-Violin-Concerto-Corigliano-Hybrid/dp/B0015P2FM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1242018440&sr=1-1
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited May 2009
    michaeljhsda2 wrote: »
    Ten Years After - A Space in Time

    Holy Moly!

    Had and loved that album back in the...end of the 60's/beginning of the 70's? Haven't heard it in decades & of course had no idea that it sounded so good as whatever I was playing it on was crumby.

    "I'd Love To Change The World" - what a terrific song!
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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  • tkfoh
    tkfoh Posts: 30
    edited May 2009
    Leon Russel--Willo the Wisp
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited May 2009
    Just finished another new classical SACD (hybrid) by Akiko Suwanai with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Poeme, and it sounds great. One of the best SACDs I have played in a while.

    http://www.amazon.com/Po%C3%A8me-Hybrid-SACD-Hector-Berlioz/dp/B0002VOX6Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1242285461&sr=1-1
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • ballen823
    ballen823 Posts: 110
    edited May 2009
    moe wrote: »
    MOE - Wormwood,just about the best quality recording ever,not to mention some great Rock.

    Nice to see a fellow moe. fan in here!

    Medeski Martin & Wood - End of the World Party...Just in Case

    Just about all Medeski albums sound great, but this one might take the cake.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2009
    Early B. wrote: »
    Michael Jackson? Ugh - you just lost three cool points, fella.

    Just look for audiophile quality CDs from companies like Mapleshade, Concord, Chesky, Sheffield Lab, Mobile Fidelity (MFSL), DCC, and a few others.

    Early, now that I have an external DAC I would like to try a quality CD. Can you provide a good place to order such recordings from companies you listed ?


    For the OP.
    Steely Dan 2AN
    Little River Band - Definative Collection
    Steely Dan Last Mall
    Pink Floyd DSOTM
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited May 2009
    thsmith wrote: »
    Early, now that I have an external DAC I would like to try a quality CD. Can you provide a good place to order such recordings from companies you listed ?

    I can help with getting MapleShade recordings.

    Try
    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/main/catalog.php

    They also have great audio gear; speaker wire, ICs, etc.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited December 2009
    fossy wrote: »
    Jonny Lang --- Lie to Me & Wander this World

    Rhino Bucket -- Self titled first cd

    +1 Jonny Lang - Lie to Me
    Oh and if you dig old school country, Jamey Johnson - That Lonesome Song
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited December 2009
    Anything by Steel Dan is usually an excellent recording.

    The Dark Side of the Moon SACD is phenomenal. If you don't have an SACD player...the redbook layer on it is excellent as well.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • KASR
    KASR Posts: 450
    edited December 2009
    A Perfect Circle - Mer de noms
    Sting - Brand New Day/Ten Summoners Tales
    Linkin Park - Meteora
    Korn - Issues/Untitled
    Rush - Roll the Bones
    Six Feet Under Soundtrack
    NIN - The Fragile/With Teeth

    All have sounded pretty great on my system.
    Living room:
    Optoma HD20
    Elite Sable 100"
    Marantz NR1501
    Polk RM6750
    Polk Monitor 50 x 2
    Polk CS1
    2 x Polk PSW110
    2x Sennheiser RS120
    Toshiba HD-A20 x 2
    Vizio VBR220
    Sony CDP-CE375
    Xbox 360 Elite
    --
    Bedroom:
    Olevia 242T
    Sony BDP-S370
    Xbox 360 Pro
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  • swegyptian
    swegyptian Posts: 316
    edited December 2010
    Back from the dead...

    So I was searching for something like this, and figured that I may as well add to it. I normally use Dead Can Dance - Into the Labyrinth.
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  • Rivrrat
    Rivrrat Posts: 2,101
    edited December 2010
    Phil Collins "Face Value". I bought my first cd player because of how it sounded vs vinyl when I bought my m10b's.

    Eagles "The Long Run"
    Dire Striats BiA.
    Just about anything Alan Parsons Project.

    Cool thread, I may have go listen to a couple of my cd's that were listed here again.
    My equipment sig felt inadequate and deleted itself.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited December 2010
    Out of everything I have, my best sounding one is an HDCD by Lucinda Williams, "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road." This is recorded so well that it beats out my SACD's!!!!
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  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited December 2010
    Just got the MFSL copy of Double Fantasy and it is sublime. Far superior to any other release, including the new remasters!
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
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  • polkfan38
    polkfan38 Posts: 360
    edited December 2010
    I have 90% of the titles listed in this thread! I must have a good ear!
    Things are more like they are now than they ever will be!
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited December 2010
    pmckeealaska wrote: »
    Just got the MFSL copy of Double Fantasy and it is sublime. Far superior to any other release, including the new remasters!

    Where did you purchase that?
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • whgarrett1394
    whgarrett1394 Posts: 217
    edited December 2010
    I just purchased an unbelievable cd from some used store. Sounds amazing. Definitely up there with my best. Firebird-Stravinsky. A telarc cd made in Japan. Best dollar I've spent in a long while.:biggrin:
    KEF Q50 mains, M&K center, Boston Acoustics surround, Marantz SR6007 pre, Emotiva UPA-700, Pioneer DV-46AV, Samsung BD-j7500, Sunfire HRS12 subwoofer
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2011
    BUMP

    I found this thread in a search (I know right?) and thought I'd see if anyone has anything else to share. I just picked up Goacho from HDTracks and its superb.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2011
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    BUMP

    I found this thread in a search (I know right?) and thought I'd see if anyone has anything else to share. I just picked up Goacho from HDTracks and its superb.

    i have gaucho in redbook and sacd, and, you're right, it is a very well recorded album. so is aja.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • On3s&Z3r0s
    On3s&Z3r0s Posts: 1,013
    edited April 2011
    Wow, I didn't know anyone else in the states had even heard of Holly Cole! That's a great CD. I have another one of hers too... Romantically Helpless. They did it in HDCD, so it'll show off a system even better. Too bad most of the material on it doesn't live up to Don't Smoke In Bed.

    But my best sounding redbook CD is Bahamut from Hazmat Modine.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited April 2011
    Ok, I just ordered this Holly Cole cd to here what all the hoopla is about. Thanks

    Now this cd is currently my best sounding one in my house: Sara K. "Hell or High water." It's an xrcd and is kinda spendy, but totally worth it: http://www.amazon.com/Hell-High-Water-XRCD-Master/dp/B000K4X76A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303523119&sr=8-1
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