Chris Collins shares reference tracks audiophiles use to test speakers. He recommends Alison Krause's self-titled album with Nickel Creek, listening for vocal clarity, instrument tone, and how the mix sits in the stereo field. He credits producer Alvin for nailing those details.
If you really want to understand the system. What are like three songs that you use to reference and why? Particular album produced by Alison Krause, Nickel Creek. I think it's a self titled album. There's two or three tracks in there and the production is not perfect. But there are aspects about it that I'm looking for and I'm familiar with it. I'm looking for things to happen within the vocal structure. The image, palatability and tonality of the instruments, colorations of the instruments, placement of the instruments, all those little things that I think that Alvin got quite right. I know that's one of the steps that we use.
