Recommendations for a jazz record which demonstrates vinyl superiority over digital

Maybe my question should have been "What half-a-dozen beautifully produced jazz recordings currently available on new vinyl records should I buy"? I don’t think replay hardware has any bearing on the answer to this question?

???? It is at the very heart of what you want to determine. To paraphrase, You stated you wanted to determine if vinyl was better than digital.

Listen to a recording on a DCS Vivaldi stack and then compare it to a vinyl version on a Kenner Close N’ Play and pretty sure you will say digital is better than vinyl. I know, an extreme example to make a point, but if you are trying to determine which is better, you need somewhat of a level playing field.

Play a vinyl record that is superbly recorded on a cheap turntable with a worn out cartridge that wasn’t set up right in the first place and you will say vinyl sucks. So contrary to what you just said, hardware has everything to do with it.

I suggest trying a Groove Note record. If it doesn't sound excellent something is wrong with your set up.

@wanders Thanks! I am glad to report that I can hear the difference between DSD64 and CD. I bought a Reavon universal player and could immediately tell, using the SACD I mention above, that its analogue output fell way short of my previous Marantz universal player.

I emailed Reavon and it transpired that they down convert DSD to CD quality, both for multi-channel DSD and two-channel DSD, when the output is set to analogue. Interestingly, no review I have read has picked this up!

@herman In my reply to you I clarified that "Ultimately, I want to be able to judge whether it is worth spending any more on my vinyl hardware, or stick with digital".

Unfortunately my original title for this thread had to be truncated, and did not properly convey this intent.

If I do upgrade, most likely it will be to a Holbo deck with tangential air-bearing arm, and an air-bearing platter.  Not much to adjust apart from getting the deck level, the tracking force right and the stylus rake angle set correctly.  My favourite dealer, rated in the world's top five, should have installed the cartridge correctly.  Much easier with a tangential arm!

I want to be able to judge whether it is worth spending any more on my vinyl hardware, or stick with digital".

that makes no difference to my point, which has completely gone over your head. 

It doesn't matter what record you try if your current vinyl playback system sucks, or not set up properly so it effectively sucks,  then any record you try on it will suck. I'm not saying your system sucks, I have no idea what it is, but again, not the point.

The point is, you need to listen on the system you are thinking about upgrading to. Not the system you have because obviously you think it is lacking in some way or you wouldn't consider upgrading it. 

regarding tangential arms, yes they have theoretical advantages, but if they are the panacea you describe.... why are they so rare? Very simple,they present engineering challenges which are extremely difficult to deal with. They rarely outperform conventional arms proven by the fact they are so rare. 

@cundare2 Thanks for your thoughtful and explicit reply! I hit on Kind of Blue as a likely candidate after doing a bit of research. But when I first played it, I had the same reaction as most people have when they are confronted with their first classical piece. I like it more (loathe it less) each time I play it, and even find myself humming bits in my head.

My partner, who has much wider tastes in music, is still in the loathe it camp.

You mention Quad ESL speakers, without specifying the model. Usually Quad ESL on its own means the first model, which is sideways on three legs. Now known as the ESL 57 for the year it was introduced. I have a pair of Quad ESL 2905 which use completely different principles, and are a development of the ESL 63.

The UHQR recording of Kind of Blue is in-stock in Sydney for A$300. Deep breath! But only a bit more than twice the price of the Original Master Recording I mentioned. I am tempted ...