After the HFN Test CD's run came to an end
we decided to look for alternatives in the industry. This
collection represents the best Test, Demo and Burn in CD's
on the market.
Stereo Review and Chesky Records have designed
this disc to help
you improve every aspect of your stereo system and entertainment
center's performance. Featuring demonstrations developed by
Chesky's own recording engineers with special test signals
developed by Stereo Review's Technical Editor, David Ranada.
This Gold CD offers a host of useful tests (some recorded
in Dolby Pro-logic), and includes a sampling of Chesky's best
new Pop, Jazz, World Music, and Classical recordings: Oregon,
Paquito D'Rivera, Badi Assad, The Westminster Choir...and
more!
This one's hard to fault. Its current technological relevance
is enhanced by reference recordings' key role is launching
HDCD, so the music tracks are HDCD-encoded. In playing order,
you get channel identification and phase tests, a clap track,
a 315Hz test tone, a wonderful 'spatial' set-up track narrated
by Professor Keith Johnson, demagnetising fades and sweeps
and a 15 minute burn-in track. Music selections, all from
the Reference Recordings catalogue, include Eileen Farrell
(Surprise, Surprise), the Turtle Creek Chorale, the Dallas
Wind Symphony conducted by Fennell and others, plus mono in-phase
and mono out-of-phase and stereo 'out of absolute phase' tracks.
Wrapped
around the 14 selections from Ana Caram, Johnny Firgo, Sara
K. et al are spoken introductions which define specific Hi-Fi
terms and which then tell you how to determine if the product
under assessment meets the grade. Tracks have been chosen
which best reveal the nuances and mysteries of 'Transparency',
'Bass Resonance', 'Focus', 'Depth', 'Rhythm and Pace', 'Holographic
Imaging' and more. For certain, this is one to add to your
CD wallet.
