What's the first record or CD you put on when you get a new piece of gear?

[TONEPUB]

Whenever you buy a new piece of gear or do a new system tweak, do you have a favorite piece of music that you faithfully go to or is it always something different?

[TommyTunes]

Whenever you buy a new piece of gear or do a new system tweak, do you have a favorite piece of music that you faithfully go to or is it always something different?

Although it’s probably clique, for analog, I use Ry Cooder’s Jazz not only is it well recorded, I personally think Ry Cooder is one of the most brilliant musicians alive. For CD the first disc that I normally grab is Kind of Blue.

[Danny]

I generally put "Long Distance Voyager" by The Moody Blues on first. It's as more of a tradition for me now, as opposed to for any real reason. I used to do it because of how familiar I am with that particular record.

[bdiament]

Whenever you buy a new piece of gear or do a new system tweak, do you have a favorite piece of music that you faithfully go to or is it always something different?

Hi Jeff,

It is usually the latest project I've been working on since I will generally get intimately familiar with what I've been listening to (over and over again).

Outside of that, my most often called upon references are:
1. Rutter's "Requiem" recorded by Keith Johnson for Reference Recordings
2. Eije Ouje's traversal of Stravinsky's "Firebird" and "Rite of Spring" recorded by Keith Johnson for Reference Recordings
3. assorted albums by Mark Knopfler (better than average big label release)
4. assorted albums by Rickie Lee Jones (better than average big label release)
5. assorted albums by James Taylor (better than average big label release)
6. Work of Art's "Lift" on Soundkeeper Recordings because I was there, I engineered it, I know it and just happen to really like it. ;-}

Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com

[cowboy]

Steve Goodman's "Santa Anna Winds".

[LeeS]

McCoy Tyner New York Reunion which I helped engineer
Dave Brubeck Take Five
and Alison Krauss Live SACD

[jayme]

1 - Dave Brubeck - Time Out (remastered)
2 - Sarah McLachlan - Freedom Sessions
3 - Branford Marsalis Trio - The Dark Keys
4 - Chick Corea - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

#3 is the real test. On a good system, it sounds like a weird but fun jam session. On a poor system, it makes me nervous and agitated...and by "poor" I don't mean "cheap". I've had many mega-buck systems fail to meet this challenge...

[Ed Hughes]

Beatles"1" :D Kidding.
It varies, but more often than not I will go with "Endless Summer"
Steves of course.

[No Static]

Nowadays it's Blues Traveller's "Runaround".

Back in the 70s it was always 10cc's "I'm Mandy...Fly Me".

[whaaat]

Usually Lewis Taylor's s/t - I like to see how much further into the 'murk and goosh' I can hear, plus it's my favourite album. :D

[Duggeh]

Tubular Bells. Always Tubular Bells.

[AHSLong]

Whenever you buy a new piece of gear or do a new system tweak, do you have a favorite piece of music that you faithfully go to or is it always something different?

"Drive My Car" by the Beatles. I fired it up for christening my very first TT
when the Beatles cds were issued. It's been my disc of choice for sentimental reasons but also my ears "remember" it each time I christen new gear.

I have also used it to alert neighbors their music is too loud. McCartney's screaming vocal is particularly effective. :biglaugh:

Steve

[fmuakkassa]

Pink Floyd DSOF LP or SACD

[Craig]

My tradition for over thirty years has been to play Tupelo Honey.

[morinix]

Don't laugh now!
Hoku - Another Dumb Blonde :shh:

Then after that, Beatles Hard Days Night LP side 1. :cool:

Regards
Robert

[Spin Doctor]

Pink Floyd - The Final Cut for bass and kick drum response.
Ella Swings Lightly for vocals and midrange.

[Lownotes]

Donald Fagen - The Nightfly

[Curiosity]

For CD usually the (1992) Mercury CD of "the Firebird" - track 13 is the one you get the ear defenders out for! I would be tempted to use the CD of Beatles '65 for checking the mid range out these days.

LP used to a a shout out between DSOTM and Beatles '65 (both Capitol of Canada) although I might play side one of my EAS of A Hard Day's Night (UK version) time permitting. The 12" of Hall and Oates Method of Modern Love isn't a bad test for extension and trackability.

Interesting thread, Tonepub.

[thorbs]

Ambrosia S/T side two for dynamic range and resolution
Led II, RL or Nirvana Nevermind EU pressing for rock bass
Joni, Ladies of the Canyon side 1 for female vocals
JT, Sweet Baby James for male vocals
various classical - for my wife!

Steve

[bangsezmax]

Steely Dan - Aja

Lots of dynamic and detail there. And the ABC LP sounds great! (I think I have four copies now).

For that matter, so does my original MCA CD, whether or not it's Steve's mastering (maybe someday there'll be a definitive answer).

[pitro]

LP Paul Simon - Hearts And Bones Quiex II pressing
CD Supertramp - Crime Of The Century MFSL
SACD Bill Evans - At The Montreux Jazz Festival
DVD-A Neil Young - Harvest

[Dave]

For me it's one of three CD's.

The holy grail Japanese 1st pressing of Dark Side Of The Moon.
DCC Elvis Presley 24 KT Hits!
DCC Nat King Cole The Greatest Hits

[nelamvr6]

My MFSL CD of Joe Jackson's Night and Day.

I like the way it works out the entire frequency spectrum, and also all the percussion gives me an idea of the dynamics.

Not to mention that it's one of my all time favorite CD's!

[CardinalFang]

It's hard to pick one! Here's the best I could do...

LP: Prince - Parade
CD: Ray Charles - Uh-Huh (DCC)
SACD: Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

[soundQman]

Kraftwerk - either Tour De France Soundtracks or Electric Cafe. Tells me a lot about the bass response, dynamics, imaging, clarity, and focus. And this is a totally artificial soundspace in the recordings, mind you. And last, but certainly not least, I love this music!