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Astr
When your pals come over to hear your audio system, what do you pull out to impress them?
I don't usually begin with "demo" records. I first play what the pals want to listen to, or they even bring their own CDs or LPs. So they can much better have an idea about my system's abilities vs. theirs. Only when they get accustomed do I eventually play my records, to "finalize" the listening session. I often play Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," Stan Getz, Jethro Tull's "Aqualung," and Supertramp's "Crime of the Century" (all MFSL LPs); The Beatles' "Anthology," 1-3, on LP; some old direct-cut Charly Antolini (drummer); and so on. We generally spend 1-3 hours listening: first songs for evaluating the system, the next ones only for the pleasure.
It's a toss-up: "Unchained" by Johnny Cash or DCC's "Nat King Cole's Greatest Hits." Either one puts every listener in touch with what this weirdo hobby is really about: good ol'-fashioned, honest-to-goodness, toe-tappin', head bobbin', smile-crackin' music.
Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker, one of the first (I think) Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab direct-to-disc LPs. Absolutely outstanding music and sound, even when played on my Planar 3 (with a Benz Micro Silver). People listen and say, "Wow, I never knew a record could sound like that."
If I want to impress them with a wide and deep soundstage, "Misa Criolla." If I want to show off my subs, Micky Hart or O.M.D. or Patrick O'Hearn. If I want to show off speed and accuracy, "Friday Night in San Francisco" does it every time.
It changes too frequently. This year I have been going through my entire collection, one disc after another. I've found many great recordings. Mostly it's the music that grabs me, and sometimes I notice that the system and the software let me hear more in the recording.