Important Accessory.....The TEST DISC

[Khorn]

Unless you have electronic signal generators and other test devices the Test Disc is a very important accessory in your library. The test disc can inform you of system problems you may not be aware of. I have been to Audio Equipment shows where manufacturers had equipment on display including speakers where a driver was actually not functioning. I one case I remember a rather high end speaker being demonstrated and the company was unaware of the fact that a woofer was not operating on one of a pair of speakers they were demonstrating. Not the way to demo/sell your product! A simple run through of a few basic tests after set up would have informed them of the problem.

My favourite test disc is the 'Denon Audio Technical CD'. Denon part #38C39-7147

This "no nonsense" disc consists of 99 tracks which include "basic checks" such as balance and phase as well Many many various test signals too numerous to mention here.

A word of warning: Some of these signals played at too high a level 'specially Sine waves can potentially damage equipment so, a reasonable amount of care is necessary!

Everyone should have some sort of test disc and periodically check their system out as many things can cause problems that you may be unaware of from simple things like loose or wrongly connected interconnects and speaker cables to more serious problems like inoperable speaker drivers or damaged amplification output devices.

A check of your system by sending signals to your LF, MR and HF drivers can inform you that they are operating properly and also alert you to any potential or on setting problems.

If you don't have a test disc there are many good ones available at reasonable prices and, if you do have one maybe it's time to pull it out and give your system a run through.

Just a thought.

[Sckott]

It sure is. Was rewiring a Dynaco, removing the stupid speaker terminals. Sissy things. Put on bananna sockets, blocked it off nicely, and after playing it for 10 minutes, something was wrong...

After using a Stereophile test disc, I noticed I wired the speaker wire out of phase. Used the test disc to find it was the right channel that was OOP....

But frequency tests, phasing tests, channel check, sweeps, all very important.

[Gardo]

I like the Stereophile test disc; the section on microphones is VERY educational. I also like the Pierre Verany discs, especially the tracking tests. The old DIGITAL DOMAIN disc has some useful stuff. The Chesky test disc has interesting LEDR soundstaging tests (good for soft-shoe dance practice, too).

For LPs, I've always treasured my Telarc OMNIDISC, though I do wish it had a sinewave frequency sweep for easily plotting cartridge/'table frequence response.

[Dave]

I use the Sheffield Labs "Test CD" and the "Conditioning and Degaussing" CD. Both excellent! You'd be surprised how much static can build up in your system.

[Jason Brown]

Where is it you guys picked up your discs?

Can they be had online?

[Sckott]

Not sure if Stereophile still has their 1st one in print. That's the one that has the educational speech with the different mics n stuff.

I also use the few Sheffield test discs as well. The XLO burn-in CD. Wonderful disc.

[Khorn]

Originally posted by Jason Brown
Where is it you guys picked up your discs?

Can they be had online?

For the Denon one try Denon itself or the distributor. These can probably also be obtained from specialty audio/video dealers, give a few local ones (if any) a phone call.