Test files needed

2024-04-16 03:10:30

Two classic test CDs -- Pierre Verany and Philips -- were used by many audio and hifi magazines and service technicians in testing/calibrating CD players. In magazine reviews, journalists would mention the "Pierre Verany or Philips test CD" , by name, when reporting results. Some of the Philips CDs were never for sale, but given to techs and repair facilities. In any case, they have been long out of print, and are quite expensive in the used market.
Pierre Verany:
https://www.discogs.com/release/8431815-Various-Digital-Test-106-Plages-De-Demonstration-Et-Tests-Numeriques-106-Digital-Tests-Demonstration
Philips:
https://www.bramjacobse.nl/wordpress/?p=4378

I need WAV or FLAC tracks similar to the ones on these classic test CDs. Does HA have (or know of) a WAV test tone public domain database?


Thanks




MOD edit: Reduced size of text.

Re: Test files needed

Reply #1 – 2024-04-16 09:25:02

Have a poke about in the archive.org site. I don't think either CD is there, but there might be other ones, even in sample form that might be of use.

I am of the opinion that such (seemingly) valuable material should be available in the public domain. However, they're both likely still copyright protected and thus not available on the web for free.

I have searched a few places I frequent to check and they're not there.

The Pierre Varney one is available to buy at Discogs tho. And some cheeky scamp is selling it for over £100 on eBay 

-

I found another source of info about test CDs: http://www.technofileonline.com/texts/testcd89.html

Re: Test files needed

Reply #2 – 2024-04-16 18:33:04

Yeah, saw the Pierre Varney on eBay, It is not that uncommon on eBay or the used mkt for high $.
The Philips disc is the one I really want as it is all signals, dedicated to CDP diagnostics.
Audio Signals Disc 1 – SBC 429
https://www.bramjacobse.nl/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SBC429_Audio-signals-disc1.pdf
https://www.bramjacobse.nl/wordpress/?p=4378
Also, having an original stamped version of any test signal CD -- as opposed to burned CD-R -- is often preferable by techs as the purported signal level and integrity (visible on amplitude of eye pattern) are higher and more stable/accurate.

Re: Test files needed

Reply #3 – 2024-04-16 18:34:13

Would a [NORDOST - System Solution Set-Up and Tuning Discs (2018) FLAC] work?
https://www.nordost.com/accessories/test-cd.php

Re: Test files needed

Reply #4 – 2024-04-16 19:23:54

I have most of the "test" CDs after about 1990,  including the Stereophile's, Chesky, both Sheffield/XLO,  etc.
I don't have CD-CHECK (tm).
But, honestly, most of the ones that came out after ~1988 are worthless for techs.
For example, that Philips Audio Signals Disc 1 – SBC 429 , has a whopping 99 tracks. This and other Philips test CDs were put out by one of the formats' developers. It comes right out of the R&D dept. Not sure Sony put out their own suite other than YEDS (which is on Archive). Denon may have, as one you noted above:

http://www.technofileonline.com/texts/testcd89.html

One critical, must-have track, as was often reported on in Measurements section of reviews,  of Stereo Review, Audio and even Stereophile (for a while), was/is/remains the SQUARE WAVE test.
It's importance (in audio) is controversial, to say the least. But it is very weird and interesting how folks go out of their way to discredit it -- especially when it comes to is application in digital audio:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/square-wave-test-on-a-cd-player.180297/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/square-wave-testing-of-audio-products-video-tutorial.20984/

https://youtu.be/9k8YpHkYJnY

Re: Test files needed

Reply #5 – 2024-04-16 21:37:00

Yeah, they could be testing their DAC or their amplifier.