A More Cosmopolitan Audiophile Sampler
Master Superior Audiophile 2017 is another strong chapter in the Master Music annual sampler series, and this edition has a slightly different personality from the 2016 version. Where 2016 felt colorful and cinematic, 2017 feels cosmopolitan, elegant and rhythmically alive.
The album is listed by HRAudio as Master Music MASA 51782, a Stereo Hybrid SACD in the Demos/Samplers category. Elusive Disc also lists it as a Hybrid SACD with a stereo SACD layer and a standard Red Book stereo CD layer, playable on most conventional CD players. Total playing time is listed as 62:06.
The Music: Tango Energy, Intimate Voices and Classical Space
The 2017 edition includes artists such as Otros Aires, Bill Bourne, Barbara Straathof, Distance, Nicki Parrott, Joel Xavier, Ron Carter, Laura Smith, Martin Kalberer, Gordon Lightfoot, Le Bang Bang, Solfrid Molland, Vassilis Tsabropoulos and the Polish Chamber Orchestra. The 14-track selection includes “The Perfect Tango,” “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,” “Welcome To My World,” “Dreams To Dance,” “Rainy Days And Mondays,” “Destiny,” “Lonely Waterloo,” “Morgenland,” “No Mistake About It,” “Time After Time,” “Whom Shall I Fear” and Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Allegro.”
That range makes Master Superior Audiophile 2017 a very useful hi-fi test album. It moves from tango pulse to vocal intimacy, from jazz warmth to chamber-classical clarity. It is not only about beauty; it is about control, timing, space and musical realism.
Best Tracks to Play First
Start with “The Perfect Tango” by Otros Aires. This is the track to use for rhythm, bass grip and transient speed. A good system should make the tango feel sharp, stylish and physically present without turning hard or aggressive.
Then play “Rainy Days And Mondays” by Nicki Parrott. This is a classic audiophile vocal test: the voice should sit clearly in the center, with natural warmth and a believable sense of air around it.
For acoustic depth, try “Destiny” by Joel Xavier and Ron Carter. This track is especially useful for judging guitar tone, bass articulation and the relationship between string texture and room ambience.
Use “Lonely Waterloo” by Laura Smith to test emotional vocal realism. If your system is too analytical, this track may lose its humanity. If your system is too warm, the vocal may become thick and closed-in.
For instrumental atmosphere, play “Stolz drauf” by Martin Kalberer. Listen for decay, space and the small details that appear after the initial notes.
Finally, play Whom Shall I Fear by Vassalis Tsabropoulos. This is a good test of classical scale, treble smoothness and string separation. The music should sound open and lively, not thin or glassy.
Why Hi-Fi Enthusiasts Must Listen to This Album
1. It has one of the most interesting track mixes in the series
The 2017 version combines tango, folk, jazz vocals, acoustic bass, piano atmosphere and classical music. That gives your system a wider test than a simple vocal sampler.
2. It is excellent for timing and rhythm
Tracks like “The Perfect Tango” and “Dreams To Dance” quickly show whether your amplifier and speakers can keep music moving. A slow system will sound polite but lifeless.
3. It is strong for vocal imaging
Nicki Parrott, Barbara Straathof, Laura Smith and Le Bang Bang make this edition very useful for checking center image, vocal body and midrange purity.
4. It tests bass quality, not just bass quantity
Ron Carter’s appearance on “Destiny” is a key reason to hear this album. The bass should sound textured, woody and controlled, not bloated.
5. It belongs in a serious SACD demo library
For anyone searching for best audiophile SACD, Hybrid Stereo SACD sampler, hi-fi test album, speaker test music, stereo imaging test tracks, audiophile vocal recording, high-end audio demo disc or reference SACD for hi-fi systems, Master Superior Audiophile 2017 is a very strong candidate.
Listening Tips
Listen first to the opening track at moderate volume. If the timing feels flat, check speaker placement, toe-in and bass balance.
Use “Rainy Days And Mondays” for vocal focus. The singer should lock between the speakers, not drift left or right.
Use “Destiny” for bass definition. The low end should be clean, tuneful and naturally connected to the rest of the music.
Use the Mozart track to test treble quality. Strings should be clear and lively, but never sharp or brittle.
Compare the CD layer and SACD layer if you own the physical disc. On a revealing SACD player, the SACD layer should usually feel more relaxed, spacious and fluid.
Final Verdict
Master Superior Audiophile 2017 is a stylish, varied and highly enjoyable Hybrid Stereo SACD. It is not the most dramatic edition in the series, but it may be one of the most tasteful. The combination of tango, vocals, jazz bass, acoustic detail and classical music makes it a very practical disc for evaluating a serious stereo system.
Compared with the earlier editions, 2011 feels broad and cinematic, 2012 is vocal-focused, 2013 is varied and dynamic, 2014 is organic and tonally rich, 2015 is beautifully balanced, 2016 is colorful and expressive, while 2017 feels elegant, rhythmic and cosmopolitan.
For hi-fi enthusiasts, this is a disc that answers a vital question:
Can your system sound detailed, musical and rhythmically alive at the same time?
Rating: 9/10 for rhythm, vocal imaging and all-round audiophile usefulness.
