What CD or Vinyl will you use to impress your guest.

The US copies are more noisy than the EU ones I think.

 

Ah, somehow I missed that one reading through!

 

I generally use a different approach. I just ask them to name a few songs or artists that they really like and have heard hundreds of times before. I pick the best recorded song or artist from their suggestions (they will almost always give you at least one well recorded choice), and let them really hear the song or artist for the first time.

At that point, they may ask me for suggestions and I can hit them with one of the audiophile monuments. But nothing compares to giving them the feel of their favorite artist in the room performing their favorite song.

 

The record I own sounding best of them all is The Domenic Troiano Band's "The Joke's on Me", side 2, Canadian pressing. Explosive.

 

My UK first press of This Years Model by Elvis Costello. Or Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues sounds incredible too.

 

I should have added that I asked my guest what they liked and they mentioned Steely Dan, otherwise, I would have played them something else.

 

Whatever gets Nancy in the room with you, that'll do.

 

Nice balanced selections!

 

I play the original CD version of Nilsson Schmillson.. I crank up the drum solo two thirds of the way into JUMP INTO THE FIRE... I let my 15" subbie do the rest at the end of the drums.. .

 

You are very kind host.

They will appreciate your efforts.

 

None. I have folks over to eat, drink, and have a good time. Any music will be in the background, and not the star of the show.

 

A few weeks ago I had an audio friend over to listen to my system. He brought his Ascend Sierra speakers over to compare to my Revels. I can't remember everything we listened to, but what he seemed most impressed by was Greg Brown - Honey In The Lion Head. He'd never heard of Greg Brown so I figure I helped him out.

Over the weekend we hosted a euchre night for my daughter'd friends and co-workers. One of her friends mentioned how my daughter impressed her with her knowledge of The Beatles when she knew all of the songs on The White Album when it was played at an earlier euchre party this woman hosted. My daughter told her how I was into music so we had a nice discussion. At one point I offered to let her listen to a "serious" stereo. She said sure, but we were interrupted and I didn't bring it up again. Kind of kicking myself as she wanted to hear some Mark Knophler which does sound very good.

 

If they're into classical I would spin Ivan Moravec plays Beethoven Vol. 2 (Piano Sonatas) Vai Audio 1069.

If they're into jazz, rock, country, R&B, soul, funk, disco, or Blues I would spin Ivan Moravec plays Beethoven Vol. 2 (Piano Sonatas) Vai Audio 1069.

If they're into rap they would not be a guest in my house. Everybody calm down. I'm kidding...sort of. Lol.

M. M.

 

A helluva CD!

 

Johnny A.
Patricia Barber

 

Surfing With The Alien, Joe Satriani original vinyl version.
Master of Reality, Black Sabbath cd or vinyl
Bridge of Sighs, Robin Trower cd

 

I hate the word "impress" as I don't need or try to impress anyone , so I will use phrase " to turn on" instead

LPs
1.Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue would spin my NM 6 Eye mono original

2.Buddy Holly & Chirpin Crickets... I would play my 2016 AP Kevin Gray cut LP.....a 50s Rubber Soul

3.Allman Bros - AFE would spin my orig NM Pink Label as an example of how great a live recording can sound when done right

4.David Gilmour s/t my Mint WLP is a wonder to behold...IMO one of the Floyd families greatest LPs , solo or together

CDs
1.Ray Charles - Uh-Huh our host version...sublime

2.Doors s/t DCC gold mastered by we know who SH...smooooth buttah

3.Pere Ubu - Raygun Suitcase / The Directors Cut...definitive

4.The Best Of Freddie King DCC mastered again by our host...actually all the SH DCC Freddie Kings sound great.

Honorable mention LP : Traffic s/t orig. Island pressing , all early Traffic records are some of the finest engineered albums ever , but s/t is the best

 

Normally, I play everything for them unclad, so they're bound to be impressed, no matter what they're hearing.

 

Right after this CD was released a stereo buddy of mine insisted on loaning it to me. I agree with you about the great sound quality. As I remember, there was a track titled 'The Hallelujah Trail'. Best version of that song I've ever heard. I listened to that track over and over. Can't explain why, just loved the song. I own a wagonload of Telarcs but never was able to find a brand new copy of Round-Up for myself (in the stores).

M. M.

 

It’s easy to laugh at this, but my early pressing of Scum is pretty dam impressive from a SQ standpoint

 

The Hallelujah Trail is one of the best Western song that I had heard. I had not played this CD for almost 4 years and played it again about 3 days ago.

I got impressed with the sound change that I had brought last year.

I had spent more than 15K$ on components and cables last year.

 

So many to choose from for guests, lately I'd say:

CD:
Rock: Grateful Dead Cornell 5/8/77 Official Release
Classical: James Welch Magnus Opus 1 Wilson Audio

Vinyl:
Jazz: Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington - Recording Together For The First Time (Roulette, Classic Records - SR52074)
Rock: Animals ‎ Pink Floyd Records PFRLP10

 

Cool!

I used to play only classical music from 1978 to 1988.

But since then I had divided my listening time half and half between classical and popular music.

 

Samhain Unholy Passion.

 

Fun thread! “Demo discs” are a guilty pleasure...

Some favorites I haven’t seen yet...

Jerome Sabbagh- “Banshee” (from The Turn)

Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker Sheffield Lab D2D “ I’ve got the Music In Me.” (“Don’t Misunderstand” and “To Know Him is to Love Him))

Dead -Terrapin Station (suite)(QRP)

Dead - “Box of Rain “ ( from American Beauty)

Hugh Maskela - “The Coal Train” (from Hope)

Kevin Gilbert - “Waiting” (From Thud)

Duncan Shiek - “Star-Field in Red Lines” (from White Limousine)

Al Stewart - “Almost Lucy” (from Time Passages)

Ed Graham - “Caravan” (from Hot Stix D2D album)

Tracy Chapman - “Mountains of Things” (from eponymous album)

Everything But The Girl - “Piece of My Mind”

Elvis - “Fever”

Damien Rice - “ Cheers Darlin’” (from “O”)

Joe Jackson - side 3 of Summer In The City live vinyl album (Eleanor Rigby, etc)