What's your demo disc?

[DavidY]

spyder dryver said:

For music +1

[Jarcy]

Funk said:

Straight stereo here, no surround or home cinema. Here's some what I play when I want to put a system through its paces:

A Eagles - Hotel California (from Hell Freezes Over): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76J4TGcQ92M

Edited by Funk on Tuesday 6th October 02:08

This has to be played on the surround DVD. I still use it to demo my home cinema and it's not even high def, but the surround mix is great. Shame there's no high def / bluray available.

[Jarcy]

For SACD in surround;

Propaganda - Dream Within a Dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FIUuPUEacc
The backing rhythm will make you dizzy circling the room! The whole album was a Trevor Horn masterpiece.

And corny I know, but surprised no one has listed this yet: Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJQnzmH6jgc

[stevoknevo]

My kit is AV, fairly old and middle of the road.

The car chase in Ronin, shootout in Heat, and the lobby Scene in the Matrix used to be my go to - not given anybody a demo in years as I mainly get to watch kids movies Despicable me 1 & 2 are pretty impressive all rounders though...

Music - The Eagles, as mentioned previously, in DTS is pretty damn good; Dr Dre, Eminem at al - up in smoke is very well produced.

Best was Jean Michel Jarre - Aero, used to drive my old dog to distraction when a certain section sounded as if table tennis was being played around you.

[Funk]

I do remember hearing a fantastic 5.1 demo of a scene in Lost In Space ("Danger, Will Robinson!") where the ship goes into 'hyperjump' and then there's an eerie silence before it literally thunders back into 'normal' space - the sub got a workout, that's for sure...

[TEKNOPUG]

Denis O said:

DoctorX said:

^That Propellerheads track is awesome. That's all.

Seemed like a load of synthesised tripe to me, but it wouldn't do for us all to be the same.

It's supposed to demonstrate the range and capabilities of your system - not necessarily something you'd choose to listen to for listening sake. That's the point of the thread, no?

[Crackie]

Don't have a demo disc but use a variety of these whenever making changes to a music system or developing new products.

Spear of Destiny ~ Flying Scotsman
Skunk Anansie ~ Charlie big potato
Roxy Music ~ Flesh and Blood
Bryan Ferry - Sensation
Talk Talk - Happiness is easy
Talk Talk - The rainbow
Talk Talk - New grass
David Sylvian - When poets dreamed of angels
David Sylvian - Taking the veil
David Sylvian - Cafe Europa
Paul Oakenfold - Great Wall CD2
Joe Jackson ~ Its different for Girls.
The Cure ~ 10.15 Saturday Night.
The Cure ~ If Only Tonight We Could Sleep.
The Cure ~ The Snakepit.

Roger Waters ~ Pros and cons or Amused to death.
Pink Floyd ~ DSOTM, Wish you were here, Animals, The Wall, Final cut.
Michael Hedges ~ Aerial Boundaries.

Edited by Crackie on Sunday 11th October 18:48

[Andy JB]

Agree with many of these but also anything by Sherman Robertson, so well recorded, produced and performed - in particular 'Am I losing you' really shows off your hi-fi components.

[marctwo]

Gravity. The use of surround is superb.

Also, Kraftwerk's Minimum Maximum DVD.

[spats]

stevoknevo said:

My kit is AV, fairly old and middle of the road.

The car chase in Ronin, shootout in Heat, and the lobby Scene in the Matrix used to be my go to - not given anybody a demo in years as I mainly get to watch kids movies Despicable me 1 & 2 are pretty impressive all rounders though...
.

Same here, mines Sony QS gear and Missions speakers. I used to sell Sony when DVDS first became main stream and the best surround was Prologic.

When 5.1 DTS and Dolby became the thing to have we used to show the chase scene in Ronin (the bit through the tunnel for that surround feel and the Audi/Citroen chase for the sheer fun)

Also the default go to film was the Matrix: lobby shoot out, the roof top slow mo and the helicopter mini gun scene.

[spats]

Nearly forgot, I upgraded to SACD a few years ago but only bought one disc so far.

Groove Armada, just seen someone selling it for 50 quid on amazon! Good audio though.

[Funk]

Andy JB said:

Agree with many of these but also anything by Sherman Robertson, so well recorded, produced and performed - in particular 'Am I losing you' really shows off your hi-fi components.

Just bought "I'm The Man" on CD from Amazon for £1.53 - what a wonderful album! You're right about the recording, it's stunning.

If you like this you really should check out Keb' Mo' if you haven't already. As mentioned earlier, 'Rainmaker' is one of my test tracks along with 'Just Like You'. I think you'd like them.

Edited by Funk on Saturday 17th October 13:20

[P700DEE]

I can also recommend Keb Mo
Just ordered I'm the man for £1.46 from Amazon on the basis of your post.
Thanks.

[Funk]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'm playing it now and it's one of those that just sounds better the more oomph you give it. I'm going to hunt out more of his stuff, this album just went on the 'favourites' list immediately.

[varsas]

spats said:

Same here, mines Sony QS gear and Missions speakers. I used to sell Sony when DVDS first became main stream and the best surround was Prologic.

When 5.1 DTS and Dolby became the thing to have we used to show the chase scene in Ronin (the bit through the tunnel for that surround feel and the Audi/Citroen chase for the sheer fun)

Also the default go to film was the Matrix: lobby shoot out, the roof top slow mo and the helicopter mini gun scene.

I have a full '75' series setup; 752 fronts, 751 rears, 75c centre and the 75as sub. I think they are great, considering upgrading to the 754 fronts.

[tdm34]

Tears for Fears, Woman in Chains, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5-c79LQ3aM

Utterly Flawless Production, Orzabals Voice with Oleta Adams a Great test IMO..

Rush, Open Secrets, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA2Vf9U_zYo

From 3:30 the instrumental Break in the track is brilliant..

Joe Bonamassa, Just got Paid, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Aud7AwGGb4

Because he can certainly play a guitar...

[InductionRoar]

Following all the praise Tracey Chapman's Fast Car has been getting on this thread I decided to try it out.

It has arrived today and wow - just wow. Excellent production and recording. Such a shame that records like this are the exception rather than the rule.

[Funk]

InductionRoar said:

Following all the praise Tracey Chapman's Fast Car has been getting on this thread I decided to try it out.

It has arrived today and wow - just wow. Excellent production and recording. Such a shame that records like this are the exception rather than the rule.

Wonderful isn't it?

Completely agree with you that it's a shame all records aren't made to this sort of standard.

Edit: Another great album for testing with is Rob Martino's 'One Cloud' - here's the title track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JjimMO2SdE

Worth getting the CD, the quality is fantastic. Also if you've never seen a Chapman Stick....well you have now!

Edited by Funk on Thursday 22 October 22:31

[InductionRoar]

Funk said:

Wonderful isn't it?

Completely agree with you that it's a shame all records aren't made to this sort of standard.

Edit: Another great album for testing with is Rob Martino's 'One Cloud' - here's the title track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JjimMO2SdE

Worth getting the CD, the quality is fantastic. Also if you've never seen a Chapman Stick....well you have now!

Edited by Funk on Thursday 22 October 22:31

Thanks for the recommendation.

I currently have this on order and have high hopes.

[allnighter]

If you want to test serious bass, try Whitney Houston's My love Is Your Love. Great track for tuning your sub and floorstanders!