Are the Stereophile setup CD’s any good?

Thank you everyone who answered.  
dwmaggie, I’ll check out Reference Recordings this weekend.

chorus, I’ll read Sanderssound this weekend.

auxinput, thanks for the link, I’ll see if I can use it this weekend.

sri330,  I just downloaded the file Gutenberg Recomended and I’ll play with it this weekend.

JD

Hi,

Check out recent Steven Guttenberg's video on youtube and there is also a link to download MA recording music files as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjyuy_ODgsE

Some of the stereophile discs have frequency waveforms (such as a constant 40hz sine wave).  Some have pink noise.  Mostly it's music you can use to test with, but there is better music available on sites such as HDTracks.  All you need for speaker placement are some good resolution music that you are familiar with.

Probably the most useful kind of thing I have gotten are frequency sweep files for stuff from 10hz to 150hz.  I used the following page to generate my own .wav files for individual frequency sweeps:

https://www.audiocheck.net/audiofrequencysignalgenerator_sweep.php

I did individual 10 second files that covered a 10hz range (such as 10-20hz, 20-30hz, etc.)

01_sweep_10Hz_20Hz_-3dBFS_10s.wav
02_sweep_20Hz_30Hz_-3dBFS_10s.wav
etc.

This allows me to hear exactly what my speakers and room are doing throughout the entire bass region.  I can hear where there are bass NULLs and also when my speakers cannot reproduce bass under a certain frequency.  It has helped tremendously in designing tuned membrane bass panels (such as the GIK Scopus traps).

Forgot to mention.  You talk about adjusting your speaker placements and subwoofers.  Why not hire someone to master set your speakers professionally and be done with it.  Master setting really works, but you need to find someone who knows what they are doing.  Soundings in Denver is the only dealer I know of who really knows how to do this.  Their demo was convincing.

Why would anyone play CD's when they can stream Tidal MQA?  Especially, when you can stream hi-res.  There has to be more noise generated from the CD player than when streaming.  However, I am not an expert like many of you are.

Jimbo,
If you  want to do some reading while awaiting your samplers,
try Sanderssound.com  White Papers. Read the Speaker Placement
article and let me know if it was helpful to you.

Best,
Me

2nd Note:

I concur on the Chesky and XLO discs as well. I own those too.

Happy Listening!

curiousjim

Yes- the Stereophile test CDs are excellent and provide helpful tips/tunes for any system. I own all titles. Have fun!

Happy Listening!

Reference Recordings XLO.  Walks you through soundstage and many other terms, then plays an example.  RR has a nice catalogue also online.

Oh yeah, my favorite test record by far is one my dad got in the Mid Fifties. In it a genial, wonderfully voiced BBC style narrator takes us to a tap-dancing rehearsal and a "Grand Prix motor race."

Every once in a while I crank out one of my test records/cd's.  And yes, more often not I make a tiny adjustment to my system -- either a slight toe-in or speaker-width adjustment or a minor twist of the dial on my sub-woofer.  In any case, my Stereophile test CDs are just fine.  Sure, they never come close to giving me the fidelity some of my favorite CDs and LPs, but they certainly do more than simply take up space in the CD rack.  My favorite test CD?  Probably the one I got with my now long-gone Denon CD player.

Thanks again Bob.

 I really appreciate it!

JD

Thanks Rodman,

I’ll read everything this evening when I have a bit more time.

JD

@curiousjim,

Sent you 3 CD's a little while ago.  Stereophile Test CD 1 and 2.  Chesky system evaluation CD.  Expect them Saturday via Priority mail.  Sent you a PM with all info.  Enjoy them.

For info on a test that eliminates many of the variables, with regards to finding out whether your system is correctly reproducing what's on your media, read this article:     https://www.stereophile.com/features/772/index.html      The LEDR is now available online, as a download, if you're a streamer:    https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_ledr.php            And, the Chesky CD's still offered:      https://www.amazon.com/Chesky-Records-Sampler-Audiophile-Compact/dp/B000003GF3     

ebm,

are there any “Setup” CD’s you’d use?

JD

Yes papa,
There are still some of us who still read.  Having so few local outlets anymore, reading is about the only I can keep up with this hobby.
JD

stereo5,

Thank you for your generous offer!

PM sent.

JD

@curiousjim,

I believe I have a few of the Stereophile CD’s which I no longer use.  If you want them totally free, (I will even pay shipping), send me a PM with your info and I will send them to you.  I believe I have at least 2 of them or maybe 3.  If you get back yo me today, they can go out tomorrow.   

oregonpapa

Stereophile? Still in business? Who knew?

According to its rate card, the magazine's 75,000 monthly readers know, at the very least. Of course that doesn't count those with whom a copy was shared, or the readers who rely on their library for a subscription.

Stereophile? Still in business? Who knew?

Skip them they are no big deal.

mostly for recording studios, BUT, yes they typically contain a lot of useful tips for the average listener