Best Sounding Recording

John Coltrane- Blue Train- Classic Records 45 RPM Series-reissue of Blue Note

Digital: Burmester Sampler Demonstration disc

I'll second Rushton's mention of the "Firebird" and add:

Mendelssohn "Mendelssohn in Scotland" 45rpm Decca reissue
from Speaker's Corner

"Autumn Yearning Fantasia" and "River Of Sorrow" FIM 002 and FIM 003 from First Impression Music

Ray Brown Trio "Soular Energy" Pure Audiophile PA-002

Count Basie Orchestra "88 Basie Street" 45rpm reissue of the Pablo 2310-901

Sorry, I couldn't stick to just one ;)

Spirit Traveler Hits from the Motor City XRCD.

Eminem, The Marshal Mathers LP.

Hey... you diddnt ask about content, just recording quality.

Tough question for me, I always get involved in the music and ignor the recording quality, or I don't like the music and get rid of it. That said, I put on the Reference Recording of Copland's music. The first cut, Fanfare for a Common Man is fairly dramatic. With full range speakers the combo of the drums and brass will fairly shake the room with big tight bass. Sort of like some of the old Telarc recordings, but far more musical. The 3rd Symphony on this disc is excellent as well.

My second choice is also a Reference Recording on LP - Professor Johnson's Amazing Sound Show. Mostly recorded on tape in the late 50's - its just amazing, the quality of the sounds, especially for those of you who think the possibiities have come a long way since then. It has a cut of some African drumming that should really get you blood up!