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What is your "Go To" Audio Demonstration Disc? (1 Viewer)

Mike Frezon

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Back in the early days of the Home Theater Forum, it was an unusual week in which a member didn't start a new thread on the best DVDs to show off their HT audio set-up.

Those threads have been much less-frequent of late, probably due to a more common excellence in the mastering of current Hollywood blockbusters in the realm of lossless audio mixes (and maybe less of a need to spotlight our own systems to friends over the years as budget HT systems have become more commonplace).

But I'm ready to ask the question anew as I'm about to add a new receiver to my system and expand from 5.1 to 7.1 (if the wife doesn't freak out!).

Out of all the great-sounding releases which are currently available...which one (or two) do YOU take off the shelf when you want to hear something special--something which shows off crisp audio, clear highs, thundering bass, and an immersive surround soundfield? I'm thinking of Blu-ray movies...but concert discs, SACDs, DVD-As and any disc is fair game.

My personal "go to" discs (in my rather dated list) have historically been:

Chicago
Master and Commander
Toy Story 2
Saving Private Ryan
Eagles - Farewell Tour Live from Melbourne
Diana Krall - When I Look in Your Eyes (SACD)
Steely Dan - Aja (SACD)

But I would welcome your thoughts as to what newer discs I should be thinking about to really give my system a good workout.
 

jcroy

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(I haven't done this recently).

A good recording of the cannons from Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture.
 

schan1269

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Immortal BelovedBeck Guero DVD-A (some of the best full frequency rear action there is)Bird YorkTouch and Go (London Jazz)Banco de Gaia
 

AnthonyClarke

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My demonstration discs for SACD are firstly 'Getz/Gilberto'. The lift in quality of reproduction really creeps up on you here, first becoming really pronounced with the clarity of Astrid's vocal, then hitting you between the eyes when Stan Getz's sax comes in.
The second SACD demo disc is one of my most beloved of all recordings ... the Mercury early stereo recording of the complete 'Firebird' by Stravinsky, conducted by Antal Dorati. Just sensational in every way ... artistically and technically.
For demonstrating the brilliant quality of what could be achieved on 78, I use my beloved 1928 British Columbia windup gramophone, and the British Columbia disc 'The Teddy Bear's Picnic' with Henry Hall and his Orchestra. Until right into the 1950s the BBC used this as their reference recording for all sorts of studio tests. And the raw sound of my 78 is still better than any transfer to CD .. and will stay so just as long as I use a new needle every play!
 

Martino

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Just completed a projection based home theater - with 5.1 surround sound and a 100" screen.

I have been using the opening scene of Despicable Me - as usually there are some kids involved...(first thing my kids say when their friends come over -- "You got to check out our theater...Dad, give the demo")

The opening credits have real sounding and great recording of drums - and then Sweet Home Alabama kicks in with the opening scene...

The opening scene is some great demo sound material - and funny story telling - then after the initial opening - the theme song kicks in - with lots of low base - shakes the whole room...gives the sub a work out.



Set the demo up - until the music stops -- then the demo is over....

Usually follows up with some request for a kids "movie night" -- so far have had 2 of them and they have gone really well...
 

Dr Griffin

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Prometheus has some wall separating bass and overall immersive soundtrack. My room is sealed when watching movies and the pressure is high at reference; I watched Prometheus again recently and marveled at the lows.
 

JustinFow

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Blu of "Close To The Edge" by Yes and SACD of "The Downward Spiral" by NIN.
 

Dale MA

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One transfer that blew me away recently was the UK edition of Play Misty For Me. It looked so film like, great detail, grain intact and beautiful colour.
 

Steve Christou

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From recent movies I would pick Lone Survivor (2013) this film will give your audio equipment a good workout. I think it won an Oscar for Sound?

Ten years ago I would have picked Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, and they still sound incredible.

Though I wasn't very impressed with the movie the new Godzilla also has pin sharp demo quality sound.
 

Stephen_J_H

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For music, Beck- Sea Change HFPA BD Audio, Peter Gabriel New Blood Live,
Movies: Dredd 3D, Edge of Tomorrow, The Avengers, Prometheus, Both Despicable Mes,
 

Hollywoodaholic

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I remember the first time putting on Saving Private Ryan and the D-Day scene and bullets whizzing by every direction, bombs exploding all around me and the whole cacophony disturbing the hell out of my wife but delighting my WWII buff son. Definitely the disc to showcase surround sound. I also second that great Moody Blues concert, Lovely To See You for a music demo.
 

jcroy

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Another thing I use to do is record myself playing a guitar or bass, and hearing how close it sounded on my sound system to the real thing.

I wanted to do the same thing playing drums, but never got around to doing it. (The problem with drums is that they're a lot more difficult to record well).
 

Neil Joseph

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Well, there are a lot of choices

For music, I like Legends of Jazz

As far as movies, I like to demo the following...

- Gravity (debris)
- Avatar (visuals and audio, entire film really)
- House of Flying Daggers (drum dance)
- Speed Racer (even though it was not hd audio)
- Master and Commander (the first attack)
 

Walter Kittel

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Neil's choices are pretty solid.

Master and Commander has wonderful use of ambient sound on the ship and House of Daggers really impresses during the drum dance.

- Walter.
 

Mike Frezon

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Since a couple of you mentioned House of Flying Daggers, I was happy to see it included in the current sale at Barnes & Noble. Somehow, it had never found it's way into my collection.

Even though it's obviously not a Criterion title...it is considered an "art house" film and was half-price ($8.99 after my membership discount).

Thanks for all the responses so far...and keep 'em coming! :biggrin:
 

Walter Kittel

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House of Flying Daggers on Blu-Ray is disappointing from a video standpoint, but the audio (which is the subject of this thread) is excellent. I guess the glass is half full on this Bd.

- Walter.
 

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