Re: [ARSCLIST] off-topic: guilty pleasure in hi-fi demo records

[Karl Miller <karl.miller@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

rodbrown <rodbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
   
  ***I'm sure there must be any number of similar efforts committed to 
vinyl by various companies who sought to interest the public in a 
particular label, or a brand of equipment, or a supposed technical breakthrough. Was this record a better-than-average example of a genre? Would any of you care to mention any fond recollections on this type of recording? Any recommendations?

***(I'm presently a little less interested in LPs full of pink noise or 
selected sine waves [the more technically-oriented 'test' records] 
though those can be intriguing too.)
   
  I have about 50 or so such records, the demo sort and the "test" records. As to which ones are better than others...I guess it depends on one's perspective. I enjoy the discs that have spoken commentary, especially since most of it sounds pretentious. Some of the test records have covers which feature pictures of old equipment...and yes, I have a section in my collection which features covers that have pictures of record players. No doubt a discography is needed?
   
  As for test records, my favorite test of a system comes not from a record so designated, but from the Miss Piggy workout record. On the first track she gives you a workout for your stereo "dolby on, dolby off," etc. It is a must have for the "hi fi" enthusiast.
   
  Be sure to check out the "Living Stereo" and related films at the Prelinger Archive. I put most of those on DVD.
   
  Karl