Best Reference Audio Discs!

[Todd Anderson]

I'm always on the lookout for high quality discs that I can (1) enjoy, (2) become familiar with, and (3) use as reference material.

Here's a few of my favorites... perhaps a Top 5...let's hear yours!

1) Norah Jones "Come Away With Me" SACD
2) Doug MacLeod "Come to Find" CD
3) Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" SACD
4) Orbital "Orbital 2" CD
5) Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon, Remastered" SACD 5.1

 

[JBrax]

While not solely audio I'd say my favorite is Dave Mathews and Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City Blu-ray. Simply amazing soundtrack.

 

[Todd Anderson]

While not solely audio I'd say my favorite is Dave Mathews and Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City Blu-ray. Simply amazing soundtrack.

I have that in my library... blue and yellow art, 2 discs?

You're right: great recording!

 

[JBrax]

I have that in my library... blue and yellow art, 2 discs?

You're right: great recording!

This is what my copy looks like and yes it has two discs.

 

[Mark C Flick]

I'll toss in the Eagles: Hell Freezes Over Live DVD and CD, both very good.

 

[Todd Anderson]

@JBrax: I guess I overlooked the word "Blu-ray"... I only have the CD.

I wonder how much of an audio difference there is between the two?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'll toss in the Eagles: Hell Freezes Over Live DVD and CD, both very good.

Big Eagles fan... I need to add that DVD to my collection. Nice suggestion!

 

[JBrax]

Not sure? It's really a great concert and I highly recommend picking it up. Top notch video to go with the 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (96khz/24bit) audio. It would be stunning on your OLED.

 

[JBrax]

@JBrax: I guess I overlooked the word "Blu-ray"... I only have the CD.

I wonder how much of an audio difference there is between the two?

I replied but didn't reference this so see above.

 

[Jack]

Here are a few that I think are great.

Doug MacLeod "You Cant Take my Blues" CD
Pink Floyd " Wish You Were Here" Blu Ray Immersion box Set
Roger Waters "The Wall" Live Blu Ray
Oscar Motet Choir - "Cantate Domino" SACD
Hans Zimmer - "Gladiator" CD
Eva Cassidy - "Live at Blues Alley" CD
Patricia Barber - "Cafe Blue" CD

Ok I have to add Eric Clapton & BB King, "Riding with the King" - Check out Three Oclock Blues kinda loud. The clarity and power of this cut are amazing.

 

[JBrax]

Here are a few that I think are great.

Doug MacLeod "You Cant Take my Blues" CD
Pink Floyd " Wish You Were Here" Blu Ray Immersion box Set
Roger Waters "The Wall" Live Blu Ray
Oscar Motet Choir - "Cantate Domino" SACD
Hans Zimmer - "Gladiator" CD
Eva Cassidy - "Live at Blues Alley" CD
Patricia Barber - "Cafe Blue" CD

The Pink Floyd and Roger Waters Blu-rays are top notch!

 

[Mluc8]

Melody Gardot
"Currency of Man" is one of my favorites but anything she does is very good.

 

[Tonto]

Big Eagles fan... I need to add that DVD to my collection. Nice suggestion!

I have the DVD/DTS version, stellar concert. I think Sonnie has the SACD version, if I remember correctly. So you have some options. Highly recommended!

 

[Jack]

I have the DVD/DTS version, stellar concert. I think Sonnie has the SACD version, if I remember correctly. So you have some options. Highly recommended!

I have the HD DVD version and it is indeed stelllar.

 

[Tony V.]

Lee Ritenour, "6 string theory" is still one of the best recordings I have to date. Its only CD but wow its dynamic

http://leeritenour.com/cds/6-string-theory/

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Def Leppard - Pyromania is still a personal favorite and i can listen to it for hours

Yes, indeed. This old geezer can still rock-out to their Hysteria album as well! Good pick!

I'll toss in the Eagles: Hell Freezes Over Live DVD and CD, both very good.

Over 10 views and counting! Gotta love Joe!!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Here are a few that I think are great.

Doug MacLeod "You Cant Take my Blues" CD
Pink Floyd " Wish You Were Here" Blu Ray Immersion box Set
Roger Waters "The Wall" Live Blu Ray
Oscar Motet Choir - "Cantate Domino" SACD
Hans Zimmer - "Gladiator" CD
Eva Cassidy - "Live at Blues Alley" CD
Patricia Barber - "Cafe Blue" CD

Ok I have to add Eric Clapton & BB King, "Riding with the King" - Check out Three Oclock Blues kinda loud. The clarity and power of this cut are amazing.

I forgot about the Roger Waters Blu-Ray... that's a spectacular recording

 

[bkeeler10]

The Chris Botti in Boston blu ray is a great recording and has some great music too.

 

[Jon Liu]

In no particular order:

Tool - 10,000 Days (CD)
Eric Kunzel - Classic at the Pops (SACD)
Hans Zimmer - Interstellar (CD) (Or Inception, or any of the Dark Knight Trilogy )
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (SACD)
Michael Buble - Call Me Irresponsible (CD)

Honorable mentions:

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City (Blu-ray)
Nora Jones - Come Away With Me (SACD)
Muse - The Resistance (CD)
Fantasia 2000 (Blu-ray)

 

[Peter Loeser]

Great thread with some great suggestions already, including some of my favorites. Anything from Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews, The Eagles, Hans Zimmer, Dire Straits, Muse, all good bets.

I'll add a few to the list that I typically use:

Snarky Puppy - We Like it Here (DVD & CD)
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back
Peter Richard Conte - The Wanamaker Legacy
Incubus - If Not Now When?
Phil Collins - Face Value
Genesis - ...And Then There Were Three...

 

[JBrax]

I'd really like some feedback on a couple artists. Most of you have heard of The Blue Man Group but their music is really captivating. Give a listen to "Three" and see what you think. Another artist I really like but she doesn't have much content is Kaleida. You might recognize the song Think from the John Wick soundtrack. Good stuff I promise.

 

[Sonnie]

I don't see Pink Floyd - WYWH on SACD - about as good as it gets.

Another pristine recording is Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter on SACD.

And of course as Todd has already mentioned... Dire Straits - Brother In Arms on SACD is stellar.

I am also a big fan of several of Cassandra Wilson's recordings... I have 9 CD's of her and they are all true nirvana!!!

Yello - Touch ... It will truly test your speakers in all directions.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Yello Touch is a great demo disc!

 

[JBrax]

Yello Touch is a great demo disc!

Yes it is. I remember him mentioning La Habanero a long time ago. It's been in my playlist ever since.

 

[Sonnie]

La Habanero is on the One Second album... another great album. I purchased it back in the 80's. Hawaiian Chance is a really cool song.