With the imminent arrival of an ndac i started to think about what to play on it to test it out.
I do have a bunch of tracks i want to try to see if it sounds warmer than my current setup and therefore test its musicality.
But, i was wondering what would be good to test it more technically, like the spacial qualities.
Any suggestions?
Would prefer something that was rock/pop/electronic as thats what i normally listen too, though for testing purposes i can cope with a more classical vibe 
I would suggest that you stick to music that you know well and like, unless you plan on more extensive A/B comparisons with and without the NDAC in place.
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Personally I assess things with music covering my range of tastes, complex dramatic orchestral, chamber music, solo piano, heavy rock, female vocal.
I think its more out of curiosity. Whilst researching the ndac a few people have said its more detailed and spacious. So wondered how i could test this with some reference tracks.
With my own collection of music i haven’t really thought too technically about them.
Kruder & Dorfmeister. Album: The K&D Sessions; Song: Bug Powder Dust
This one is particularly good for hearing the quality and detail of the bass. If your foundations shake, the system is working 
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Why not choose some music you used to like, but have fallen out of love with of late? Try listening to it on your new gear and if you find yourself lovin’ it again, the equipment you’re auditioning might well be doing something right.
i always do this and it works for me…
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That would be challenging for me, as I do 't think there is any!
When I got my nDAC a few years ago I just re-listened to my favorites. It wasn’t immediately that I noticed the difference but all of a sudden I kept saying to myself, “what was that?” I’ve never heard that before. After that I just listened to my favorites all over again.
If there was one track that enthralled me it was Nina Simone “I Loves You, Porgy”
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A reasonable question, omitting lots of detail.
First which streaming services do you subscribe to, if any?
Second a clear sub list of genres - not a general one?
Finally at post #4 what is the “a few people” = your ears (only), ignore others, just enjoy the music, no need to test the opinion of others, yours count!
FWIW I have a mem stick with tracks I know well to test any equipment I am minded to audition. Used last week and less than impressed by a forum favourite - one excellent dealer I use, who didn’t organise the demo, wasn’t surprised by my conclusions! You have to build your own library; else ymmv.
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Thanks for this suggestion. I have the bomb the bass version of bug powder dust, wasnt aware if the k&d version.
Really liked it. Nice bass and samples coming from differnt places.
Checking out the rest of the album now.
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Thats exactly what i plan to do. I have a few tracks that i like on my iphone/headphones but not on the naim system.
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The original question was more for fun and curiosity.
To find out what other people use to appraise a system on a more technical basis.
Of course the primary concern is do I like the sound the system makes over any technical details.
My music collection has been curated based on what i enjoy listening to.
For streaming services i have both spotify and qobuz.
Couldn’t agree more, yes take material that tests a system but also that you are familiar with . I also like to take very simple material- material that leaves the system nowhere to hide.
Also have a thought for your poor audio dealer who if he hears WYWH one more time , his intestine may reach through and strangle him
On one occasion I used Simon Russell Beale as George Smiley to hear spoken word
Slowdive. Slomo. From the slowdive 2017 album.
This track has been highly processed with some studio crafting. Still very “Audiophile” with a clean and clear setup.
Particularly the bass that from the quieter start flows over and above the vast subtleness like a glowing firebird.
Soundscapes that reach high, way above the loudspeaker plane - almost touching the ceiling are rare. When that high soundscape is the bass - which almost always rumbles across the floor - is even more rarer.
The Ndac should pull this of comfortably like it does in my system.
To stay on electronics and from the two same guys I really like this song (Who am I) to check speakers.
I think I saw Whathifi use it too on some testing.
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If I was going to appraise on a technical basis I’d use test tracks designed for that purpose, with frequency sweeps, very close tones etc, and use measuring equipment to evaluate the output.
I don’t do anything like that myself other than for speaker positioning, room evaluation, and when I was running active for setup up the crossover.
Play music your in intimately acquainted with.
It’s always about the music.
We had the nDAC first.
Here are the test tracks used through out the day, when first auditioned a dealer demonstrator ND5 XS2 with our own nDAC. ( Bought the streamer) 
It’s mostly an eclectic mix of rock, pop, electronica, jazz, etc
In no particular order :
David Sylvian, from “Secrets of the Beehive” (1987).
- Orpheus
- When Poets Dreamed of Angels
David Sylvian, from “Dead Bees on a Cake” (1999).
- I Surrender
Paul Buchanan, from “Quiet City” (2021).
- Due North
The Blue Nile, from “Hats” (1989).
- Tinsel Town in the Rain
- Headlights on the Parade
The Bad Plus, from “These are the Vistas” (2003).
- Everywhere You Turn
Go Go Penguins, from “Everything Is Going to Be Ok” (2023).
- You’re Stronger Than You Think
- Glimmerings
- Saturnine
Portico Quartet, from “Next Stop” (2022) - Qobuz HiRes
- Captured Time
- Next Stop
Public Service Broadcasting, from “This New Noise (Live)” (2023) - Qobuz HiRes
- A Cello Sings in Daventry
Madonna, from “Ray of Light” (1998).
- Nothing Really Matters
Nick Mulvey, from “First Mind” (2014)
- Fever to the Form
Some stalwarts, that have served well for decades. Also, more recent ones, that have been getting a lot of play at home, more recently.
Good luck
R
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