Best Jazz Audiophile Recommended Vol. 2
This release is listed as Various Artists – The Best Jazz Audiophile Recommended, Volume 2, released in Thailand, 2012, with label: Hitman Jazz, catalogue number HDCD0004, format HDCD, and total length 1:07:40. Audiophile Music also describes the series as a 24k Gold CD with 24-bit / 96kHz audiophile mastering, focused on vocal clarity, bass depth and instrument detail.
Good audiophile description / recommendation
The Best Jazz Audiophile Recommended Vol. 2 is a refined and spacious audiophile jazz compilation from Hitman Jazz, made for listeners who enjoy smooth jazz, acoustic instruments, natural vocals and high-quality hi-fi sound. This album is a good choice for testing stereo imaging, instrument separation, bass control, vocal presence and room ambience.
Compared with some vocal-heavy audiophile samplers, Vol. 2 has a more instrumental and varied jazz character. It includes vocal jazz, small ensemble jazz, saxophone, guitar, piano trio, big band energy and relaxed acoustic performances. On a good system, the album should sound open, clean and natural, with clear placement of instruments between the speakers.
This is recommended for audiophiles who want a musical test disc, not just a technical demo. It is ideal for speaker testing, headphone listening, DAC comparison, amplifier evaluation and relaxed evening jazz listening.
What you must hear
| What to listen for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Wide stereo image | Instruments should spread naturally across the soundstage |
| Clear instrument placement | Saxophone, piano, bass, drums and guitar should be easy to locate |
| Natural vocal tone | Voices should sound warm and realistic, not sharp or thin |
| Bass definition | Bass should be deep, controlled and rhythmic |
| Piano decay | Piano notes should fade smoothly and naturally |
| Dynamic swing | Big band and ensemble tracks should have energy without harshness |
| Room ambience | You should hear air and space around the performers |
Recommended tracks
| Track | Artist | Why recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Send in the Clowns | Svante Thuresson & Katrine Madsen | Excellent for vocal balance, duet placement and warm midrange |
| Joana’s Waltz | Wansch – Strauch Sextet | One of the best tracks for acoustic jazz space, long-form dynamics and instrument separation |
| Over the Rainbow | Jutta Glaser & Bernhard Sperrfechter | Beautiful for intimate vocal tone, guitar detail and emotional atmosphere |
| Cobra | Acoustic Affaire | Good for acoustic texture, rhythm and stereo detail |
| Libyan Desert Mirages | Schantz Segment | Recommended for atmosphere, depth and spacious imaging |
| Nardis | Mariane Bitran | Great for flute/sax-style tonal colour, jazz phrasing and instrumental realism |
| Oye como va | SAP BIG BAND | Strong test for rhythm, brass energy, dynamics and big-band impact |
| Hello Oscar | Ernest Oláh Trio | Good for piano trio balance, bass definition and natural swing |