Recommendations for a jazz record which demonstrates vinyl superiority over digital

This is based on nothing more than my personal experience -- like every other personal opinion posted here -- but in the interest of full disclosure, I've been buying records, without interruption, since the mid-1960s, probably 5-10,000 sides. The recording that best demonstrates the strengths of analog playback, of the records I've owned, is the UHQR reissue of "Kind of Blue." That includes even my large collection of Living Presence and Living Stereo first pressings, AP 45s, MoFi 1Steps, you know, all the usual suspects. Among other distinguishing characteristics, the UHQR "KoB" on my system stands out in terms of physicality & reproduction of the recording space. And it's a nice remastering, too. I'm listening through Quad ESLs & Harbeths, 2024 T+A electronics, Mikey Fremer's "budget reference" The Vinyl phonostage, a George E. Merrill-built "GEM Dandy" table with 9" Sorane arm and Hana Umami Blue MC cartridge. Regardless of whether once considers this to be the "best" record in any way, it's certainly good enough IMO, to seek out if you like this genre of music. I understand that the OP does not, which is a shame, because none of my other (7 or 8) CD, LP, & SACD versions of this album come close to duplicating the exquisite experience of listening to the UHQR.

@richardbrand

D:\Gr - Vid\QUADRichard: As I’m sure you know, "KoB" is one of the most highly respected releases in that particular genre, and it’s a good entry point if you’re not already a fan. But I can understand your reaction. I remember many years ago, as a callow youth, I had the same response. After many playings, however, I grew to appreciate and love the album. But everybody’s mileage varies, and I wanted to at least point out the terrific job that AP did on this release. Not even other UHQRs in my collection compare.

You’re in Australia? If you were truly interested in this album, maybe it’s worth lurking on eBay for a while and in case a cheaper copy will pop up. But really, $300 AUD is not totally outrageous, at least IMHO, and at least for this particular release. That’s about $200 US, and the record was $125 new, I think. And who knows, maybe somebody reading this message might be willing to part with a copy at a reasonable price.

You guessed correctly re: my Quads. My understanding is that "ESL-57" was never the correct, "official" model name and that the 1957 model is still referred to at IAG as the original "ESL." Sorry for any confusion. I restored my copper-grill model to factory spec, even installing NOS panels, and powered it with factory-restored 1950s Quad 2 Class A monoblocks. I was forced to sell my units when downsizing in retirement (it still churns my stomach to think about it), but my relatively small, easier-to-manage Harbeths may be as close as you can get to Quad electrostatic sound from dynamic drivers, at least in the sub-$40,000 price range!

Re: your original question, you might want to seek out J. Gordon Holt's famous organ LP

@richardbrand

You may be able to tell that my last response was posted before I’d finished editing. There was a lot more there, which would take me too long to reproduce.

But the gist of it was that you can find outstanding recordings used if you shop by known good labels: RCA Living Stereo, London ffrr, Mercury Living Presence, any of the early Telarcs, especially that label’s first release, the direct-to-disc "Great Organ of Methuen Memorial Music Hall."

Just be aware that it’s not only pressings that matter with these legacy LPs. Stampers, plants, and the # of impressions made by a stamper can make a huge difference. In my lost message, I detailed a hands-on experiment I conducted after reading Michael Fremer’s lengthy postings on this topic. THe album was "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. I bought a half-dozen used first pressings, all from different stampers and countries of origin, and compared them to my MoFi 1-Step version. Although the 45RPM MoFi was somewhat better in terms of dynamics and surface noise, in blind comparisions, my 1971 pressing from an early stamper had them all beat in terms of realism and (hate to use the term) "musicality." No comparison, even to other first pressing from later stampers.  When Art’s voice comes in on the title track, it’s breathtaking in a way that not even the pricey 1-Step could duplicate. And I paid only $8 for my NM copy on eBay!

Anyway, nice to chat with you, Richard.

@richardbrand

Yes, the brain works in mysterious ways.  I think we could have a long conversation offline or in another thread about psychoacoustics.