Truly Stunning Vinyl Album


Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge!  So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album: 

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/

Thanks for any recommendations!

phillyspecial

Dave Grusin - Discovered Again 

Sheffield Lab Direct to Disk Recording 

This album is stellar audiophile. 

Most of the direct-to-disc records I’ve heard—e.g., Sheffield, M&K, Crystal Clear, East Winds—are very good sounding.  I don’t known if this is the result of eliminating the tape recording step, or because they were audiophile records that take care in all aspects of recording and manufacturing, but in any case, they are worth collecting if sound is a big issue.

Check out MA Sera Una Noche - La Segunda album. If you like instrumental it is recorded live in a chapel. Amazing album. They have it also in Qobuz for streaming. I like my vinyl collection but after getting an external dac LTA Aero on my A6ME streamer, I’m more on the streaming now. It sounds vinyl! 

Mike from "The in groove" has a great video on his favorite top 100 vinyl records still in press.  His tastes are rock, classic jazz, and blues.  A great and informative video.  The albums featured are actually still available and would be a great place to add more accessible options to the stellar ones presented in this forum. The Doors 45 rpm by analogue productions is sonically superior to the recent UHQR-I have both.  Another disc that would be under the radar is (don't scoff) Madonna's Ray of Light.  It is produced by William Orbit and it is truly 3-d and the music is surprisingly excellent.  Get the German version.  The recent Impex release of Getz/Gilberto puts you front and center in a small music venue in the front seat.  You can almost smell the cigar smoke.