You can get the MoFi albums from Music Direct or Soundstage Direct. Both have Labyrinth on backorder, but Spiritchaser is in stock.
http://www.musicdirect.com/search.aspx?searchterm=dead can dance
http://vinyl-records.soundstagedirect.com/search?w=dead can dance
this thread makes me really want to check out Dead can Dance.
I don't have great test albums per se but i try to listen to something that I am very familiar with to be able to "tell' the differences. The album I'm currently most familiar with is The Barr Brothers first (and only) album. I usually will also listen to some Floyd, Radiohead, and Phish. I would like to get a "reference" classical piece for myself but haven't taken the time to really develop a relationship with one. Though based on Art K's listening example I got a copy of Bells fo Stokowski which is a fantastic recording and could become a reference for me.
Thanks Glen....
I did offer to check if any vinyl was in stock. I could have picked one for you and shipped it to you (your expense ).
Just sayin'
I use the Mofi Spiritchaser to test. I wish I got Mofi's Into The Labyrinth when the gettin' was good. Beautiful album and probably superior for this purpose. The recent EMI release of Dark of the Moon is a good go-to for me. For 45's, Portishead's Third is excellent for lower extension. I also have a 1978 Charlie Byrd Direct-to-Disc recording that's great for detail. Yaz singles are great for checking the punch. I also use Trans Euro Express by Kraftwerk--so stark that listening for this or that is straight-forward. I imagine Electric Cafe shares this quality.I've been using that same exact album. I believe I mentioned it to JohnVF recently. You can use this one and get a long way.
Makes me want to get Spiritchaser also.