I use the latest loudest record I can find so any distortion will show up. Steve
> From: [email protected] > Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:59:55 -0700 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] "Go-To" Recording for Testing a New Machine / > Reproducer > > Hi Arvin ~ > > Great question and I'd be interested in hearing more answers to it from our > astute members. > > I usually try a freshly rebuilt reproducer on a variety of records that > includes: > Violin, Soprano voice, bells, at least one unusually strident limited passage > (2 or 3 grooves). This takes care of the high end. Baritone voice and cello > for the low. Also, vocal quartet and small instrumental ensembles (to see if > differential details are noticed). > > Sharp voices like some moment's of Billy Murray's (acoustic) recordings are > also good to check how well the reproducing apparatus hangs onto the shrill > passages without distorting. > > The above mainly accounts for cylinders and acoustic discs, for acoustic-era > machines. For early electric era I always include vibraphone. Really anything > that is rich in natural harmonics works well. Benny Goodman Quartet's Moon > Glow with Hampton's vibraphone (Victor 25398) is good for this, but in > general I try to limit my Orthophonic Credenza to slightly earlier discs. > > You can not only check for the clean-ness of the vibraphone, but also how > true the breathy quality of the clarinet comes through. Another good test for > an Orthophonic or Viva-Tonal is how faithfully they reproduce the bagpipes at > the start of Harry Lauder's electric recording of When I Meet MacKay (Victor > 9024). > > In general, if I hear an obvious distortion that isn't from record wear, I > try to find a record or two that have a passage in a similar frequency range > to rule out an anomaly. If the reproducer rattles in the same range on > similar passages, I go back and try to find the cause; imperfect adjustment, > the rim of the diaphragm touching the housing, etc. > > Andrew Baron > Santa Fe > > On Feb 24, 2013, at 10:14 PM, Arvin Casas wrote: > > > Hi All, > > > > I was wondering if folks have a favorite recording they reach for (or > > require) when they are testing the chops of a new machine or a new/repaired > > reproducer? > > > > If you have one, why? I'm interested in reasons technical (e.g., wide > > frequency / volume variation) to personal (e.g., it's you post-repair good > > luck charm, you like it enough that you don't mind hearing it over and over, > > you know it so well that you know when it's the machine and not the record > > underperforming, etc.,). > > > > I'm fine tuning my Viva-Tonal reproducers and was just curious if folks had > > certain "obstacle course" recordings they rely on for testing/inaugurating > > their equipment. I have none right now and am always looking for an excuse > > to pick up some shellac. :-) > > > > Thanks, > > > > Arvin > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Phono-L mailing list > > http://phono-l.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
