What LP shows what analog can do?

I noticed something similar to what Marty has said regarding the recommendation of digitally mastered LP's. Nothing much to offer in the way of explanation other than some folks' record collection may not go too far back as some old farts like me (us, if I may).

I wouldn't generalize too much in this area, though. There are a few d to a LP's that sound very good. Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" comes to mind (do yourself a favor and find the Japanese pressing) in addition to several Dire Straits cuts.

Eldartford,
I fully understand the greater challenge presented by the wide dynamic range of classical, since that's all I listen to. Matt clearly understands this too, that's why he's looking for suggestions and not just buying anything. Since that's what he asked for I thought I'd try to respond.

In my experience most well-treated and properly cleaned LP's are reasonably quite, though there are obviously some exceptions. The new audiophile grade LPs (eg, Classic Records) are better and the newest 200gm stuff is ghostly quiet. Highly recommended.

Totally agree with your view on recording techniques. The superiority of two-track, tubed recording is obvious even on CD reissues of Living Stereo recordings (compared with newer recordings on CD). After we played our first one of these and picked our jaws off the floor, my partner asked, "The last recordings like this were made in the early '60's? What happened?!" Everything went to hell when they invented the transistor, multi-track mixdowns and (shudder) digital. The first two can never be overcome. Digital has only started to become listenable in the last few years, sort of.

I have not read the above responses (maybe this was already mentioned), but most any decent 45 rpm LP should do the trick, just find one with music you enjoy.

I have to increase anti-skaing a notch when I play them, but as my A-S is a hang weight on graduated posts this is not a problem (it's easy to return it to the previous setting).

I agree with the recommendations on the Salvatore list that Dougdeacon was so kind to point out; I have many of them and I believe he is correct in his assessments. If you can get the Harmonia Mundi La Folia, it's a hoot (nice recordings of a chain saw, balloons and a Land Rover(?), among other oddities) and a sonic spectacular, with dynamics that will make you jump out of your seat and squash the good CD version. The Dorati/Mercury Firebird reissue by Classic Records is also a great example of vinyl playback's capabilities.

The Weavers, Reunion at Carnegie Hall. Wow, I can't beleive nobody mentioned this one. Especially the last track on side two, compare it to the CD version. Another good one to compare with the CD version is Sweet Honey at the Rock, Live at Carnegie Hall, try the 3rd track Wade in the Water and compare the incredible female bass singer on vinyl vs cd.