What are your go to LP's for evaluating new gear or new tubes?

dogberry

I can completely identify with that. I certainly have Quadrophenia, have not heard it in a long time but that doesn't mean I won't ever hear it again. I also have some Amy Grant somewhere, another beautiful voice. Last night I was going through some of my collection that I don't normally look through and found 3 albums by Joni Mitchell that I didn't remember having. Court and Spark was one that someone had mentioned so I put it on and was very pleasantly surprised. Very well recorded and her voice was better than I remembered. My son had never heard it before and he enjoyed it. I probably hadn't heard it in close to 50 years and it was far better than I remembered. Even my wife commented on how good her voice was. Joni did the cover art herself. I believe that Cat Stevens used to do some of his as well. Art work was a good part of having albums and I collect some for the art as much as the music. Fun stuff.

The overture of The Who's Tommy. Japanese pressing. Mostly for Townsend's acoustic guitar work and Moon's drums.  

Who's Next, Japanese pressing: Behind Blue Eyes. For the vocals and Townsend's Electric guitar.

Court and Spark 1980 Nautilus half speed remaster. Mainly, because I am so familiar with the album.

Anything from the Louis Armstrong/Duke Ellington sessions: 1999 Classic Records remaster. For the detail, Armstrong's voice, and the heavenly sound of the clarinet.

Karajan conducting the Berliner Philharmonica: Beethoven's 9th, 4th movement. 1963 pressing. Mainly for the extreme dynamics. And the cello/double basses near the beginning of the movement.

Cat Steven's "Where do the Children Play" from Tea for the Tillerman. Mainly because it is such a beautifully recorded song with great dynamics and very large lows.

The Pretender's unplugged "Isle of View". Broadcast live on BBC television in 1995. An incredible performance. Chrissie Hynde is at the top of her game. And the recording is superb. The inclusion of The Duke String Quartet iin the arrangements works very well. Although getting your hands on a vinyl pressing can be challenging. Since it was only released on vinyl in the UK. My vinyl copy did not come cheap. But CDs are readily available.

And anything that has well recorded cellos. Elenor Rigby comes to mind. 

Dear @billpete  :  " Next up will be the SLP98, another classic to add to my system. "

Now I can understand a little where you are " seated " and why the Linn and who knows which cartridges in use.

I think  you need to listen this Lp: title Paramita, label Wind Music and composer/producer He Xun-Tian

R.

@flash56 

Just heard Court and Spark, very good. Mine is on Asylum Records and is very well done and nice clean vinyl.

Don't think I have any Japanese pressings of the Who but have the albums. Been awhile for me on those.

Have nothing on Armstrong or Ellington, just not part of my collection. 

Also came across several Pretenders LP's. 

Have a good amount of cello music. Good test music.

Have several Karajan, just came across some last night as I went through part of my collection. 

Cat Stevens, I have most records that he ever made. I have about 6 copies of Tea For The Tillerman, including a 200G remaster, which sucks. Best one I have is on Island. The American versions (/Atlantic, I think?) aren't bad but Island is better. Most of Cat Stevens albums are very dynamic, acoustic guitar, drums and that wonderful voice. All that I have were well done except for the remaster.