As others have already mentioned it is important to use CDs that you are very familiar with. A great piece of advise that someone gave me was to listen to each CD that you bring with you to the audio store right before you leave your house so that you can have some idea of how it sounds in your system. As always, attempt to have a setup that includes as many of the components that you have at home.
Unlike many of us, I think that it is important to test components with great and poorly recorded material. It is not hard for a component to sound good when it is given quality recordings. The majority of music is not well recorded and that does not stop us from listening to it, well it does not stop most of us from listening to it. It is also important, IMHO, to bring along different kinds of music. Rock, jazz, folk, and classical are always part of my music mix when auditioning equipment.
Unlike many of us, I think that it is important to test components with great and poorly recorded material. It is not hard for a component to sound good when it is given quality recordings. The majority of music is not well recorded and that does not stop us from listening to it, well it does not stop most of us from listening to it. It is also important, IMHO, to bring along different kinds of music. Rock, jazz, folk, and classical are always part of my music mix when auditioning equipment.