Minorl: I think I understand the context of your request for titles of 'reference' recordings but I'd like to offer a slightly different perspective, FWIW. After years in what I would call an 'audiophile bubble,' listening to records that sounded good on my system, I decided to spend time and money on the best pressings of music i liked and wanted to listen to, rather than stuff that 'played the system best.' Granted, not all of these are sonic spectaculars, but, once your system is sorted, room, power, etc. (and it appears you have a pretty good system), so much comes down to the source material. In some cases, it is remasters, but in many, many cases, I'm listening to old records, particularly those made in the 60's and 70's. And, while the results are uneven, because not all of the music I like was well recorded in the first place, I'm really enjoying music, rather than focusing on how the system sounds. I guess I'd be remiss if I didn't include a couple of things (having no idea how the digital releases of these compare), but on vinyl:
Shelby Lynne -Just a Little Lovin' -Chad's re-do, not the standard issue. A sonic confection, thank Phil Ramone.
Janis Ian- Between the Lines- standard issue Columbia from the mid-70's; don't bother with the 180gram reissue- it doesn't sound as good as the record you can find in a bin for 5 bucks;
Hoodoo Man Blues- Chad's 45 cut, particularly "In the Wee Hours." You'll probably smell the cigarette smoke from the club like setting of this classic blues record.
Little Feat, Waiting for Columbus- just find a TML pressing and listen to the side with Dixie Chicken.
I could go on, but you get the idea. None of these are obscure, or particularly expensive on vinyl.
Shelby Lynne -Just a Little Lovin' -Chad's re-do, not the standard issue. A sonic confection, thank Phil Ramone.
Janis Ian- Between the Lines- standard issue Columbia from the mid-70's; don't bother with the 180gram reissue- it doesn't sound as good as the record you can find in a bin for 5 bucks;
Hoodoo Man Blues- Chad's 45 cut, particularly "In the Wee Hours." You'll probably smell the cigarette smoke from the club like setting of this classic blues record.
Little Feat, Waiting for Columbus- just find a TML pressing and listen to the side with Dixie Chicken.
I could go on, but you get the idea. None of these are obscure, or particularly expensive on vinyl.