Listen to the music you will listen to at home. If it sounds good, it is good. Unless of course you listen to test tones while making dinner or at dinner parties. Then test with that. When I look at a painting I ask, does it it move me, not what are the light-fast qualities of the pigments. Likewise for music; how does it sound to your ears... Let it sound right to you, not according to some technician's yard stick.
Best Test CD
I'm not talking about Music CD's per se but if one fits the bill that can test a systems performance then include it. I'm more interested in the test CD's from Chesky, Stereophile, Sound & Vision, etc. that help a person evaluate their own system and also to compare systems in the shop. Also, if it helps to calibrate speakers it would be a great plus. I haven't found one cd that has a great selection of music and good calibration tests.
My vote is for Chesky's test cd #2 for music and tutorials. Great disc to learn audiophile terms and how they relate to actual recorded music(transparency, holographic imaging, soundstage, are just a few topics covered). Great selection of tracks (Sara K, Ana Caram, Rebecca Pidgeon, Chuck Magione, piano tracks, drum solos, some great stuff). For pure calibration of system including video and surround systems, nothing beats the AVIA dvd and a ratshack SPL meter.
My vote is for Chesky's test cd #2 for music and tutorials. Great disc to learn audiophile terms and how they relate to actual recorded music(transparency, holographic imaging, soundstage, are just a few topics covered). Great selection of tracks (Sara K, Ana Caram, Rebecca Pidgeon, Chuck Magione, piano tracks, drum solos, some great stuff). For pure calibration of system including video and surround systems, nothing beats the AVIA dvd and a ratshack SPL meter.