This record is a special release from Vanguard and it appears that Acoustic Research was closely involved in the production of this recording (and manages to promote their loudspeaker systems)
Full technical information about setting up a stereo sound system and the features of each track of music is provided inside the gatefold cover
All material is of the classical genre and were selected from the Vanguard library.
Inside the gatefold there is a very detailed explanation of what stresses each passage of music will place on the audio system under test, in fact it is stated that it is unlikely ANY system can play the record entirely without showing some signs of being "below par", such is the demands this record will place on the system.
Robert Berkovitz of AR (Director of Research) supervised the preparation of this recording.
The original master recordings (both digital and analog) were transferred to a digital master tape using a Sony PCM 1600. The master lacquer was cut from this master tape.
There is no mention of the transfer speed but I would assume it was real time, not half speed.
Also the vinyl used for pressing is not mentioned either, but it weighs in at 150g (black)
So, it seems that Vanguard intends this test record to be used for finding out your system weaknesses and offers no solutions, that is up to the listener to find out. This is quite unlike other broadcast test records I have had which allow the user to test tracking, frequency response, channel separation etc
Vanguard has quite a reputation for their audiophile releases, my own comments about this record are below.
Vanguard Audiophile Series - How Music Sounds
Vanguard Records
Cat# SPV 42
1981
USA release
Gatefold cover is in very good condition, no writing, no seam splits and very clean/unmarked. Inside the gatefold is copious amounts of general audio system comments (remember this is the 1980's so they refer to the "HiFi System")
New inner plastic sleeve
Vinyl is in excellent condition, inspected under a white halogen light source and I can see no scratches/marks anywhere on the VERY shiny surface. I then played the entire album, both sides (yes, ALL of it) and it was actually a nice change from my normal musical tastes! Surface noise is extremely low, no clicks/pops heard at all - the vinyl is very clean and listenable.
New outer protective sleeve
Each track has been selected by Vanguard to test specific aspects of the users sound system, there does seem to be an emphasis on the sound from the loudspeakers and I am presuming this is due to Acoustic Research being heavily involved in the production of the recording.
While listening, read the information for each track on the inside of the gatefold.
Tracks:
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Respighi: Roman Festivals (excerpt)
Leopold Stokowski And His Orchestra - Corelli: Concerto Grosso
Musica Reservata Of London - Certon: J'ay Le Rebours
Kenneth Cooper - Handel: Balletto from Ariodante
Yale Quartet - Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 Opus 135
Heidi Lehwalder - Faure: Impromptu Opus 86
Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra - Haydn: Symphony No.100 "Military"
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor Opus 36 (excerpt)
Wind Players Of The American Symphony Orchestra - Mozart: Serenade No. 10 K.361 For 13 Wind Instruments
Lili Kraus - Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances (1915)
Anton Heiller - Bach: Chorale Prelude "Christ Lag In Todesbanden"
Paula Robison - Debussy: Syrinx For Solo Flute
Alirio Diaz - Sor: Estudio XII
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol (excerpt)
