Best LPs to Test Turntables

I completely agree that “audiophile spectacular type albums” are not always the best choice, @whart. I too often use records that might be considered average in the ear candy department, but that are great musical performances. I find that in an unfamiliar system the spectacular aspect of “sonic spectaculars” can actually be a distraction. But, I think that the impact of “speed constancy”, or lack thereof, is seriously underestimated by many. Way before the issue is perceived as obviously poor speed constancy the rhythmic feel of the performance is being impacted in a negative way.  

I was auditioning cartridges yesterday and I used the the first minute or so of "Time" from Dark Side of the Moon. You can learn a lot from all those ringing clock chimes. If I want to test a systems low end I use about the first four minutes of "Reflection" by Tool or "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" by Bela Fleck.

Obviously, your personal familiarity with an LP is key.

I've found these indispensable for setting a deck up. I'm not sure how relevant the resonance test is for overall presentation. The one time I shopped for a turntable none of the tone arms managed the resonance test very well yet a majority seemed to sound fine. Good luck with your search.

Shure TTR-101 "An Audio Obstacle Course" side 1 track 4 Blank Band anti skate adjustment. Adjustment on the fly.

Clearaudio "Azimuth optimizer Test Record" in conjunction with a Fozgometer. Adjustment on the fly.

Shure TTR-115 "An Audio Obstacle Course - Era IV" Side two BAND Five Tone Arm Resonance Test. (My Well Tempered arm sails through the entire track)

Telarc 1812 followed by Dean Martin "Dream With Dean" to subjectively dial in the VTA to my taste. Adjustment on the fly.

Linda Ronstadt - Whats New
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions Classic reissue.

Lindas voice can be difficult to track on this and many of her albums and the Cowboy Junkies album can be sibilant and distorted on lesser setups.  The cartridge and type of stylus also has quite a bit to do with it.

Thanks Roberjerman. Rock n' Roll Animal is a good one.  Many of the suggestions coming forward I do not have on vinyl. So need to connect with what I own.  Do you think that it matters when the LP was originally recorded analog, or digital.  For example, I would imagine all Weather Report LPs are produced from digital masters.  BTW - They were one of my early concert attendances.  Jaco was phenomenal to this kid in high school.