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The Who - The Who Live At The Oval 1971:

USA - 2025 UMC HD Download	USA - 2025 UMC CD
USA - 2025 UMC LP (Splash Wax) 180 gram Splash / Multicolor vinyl. North American Market	USA - 2025 UMC LP (Splash Wax) (Disc) 180 gram Splash / Multicolor vinyl. North American Market
Canada - 2025 UMC LP 180 gram black vinyl. North American market	Czech Republic - 2025 UMC LP 180 gram black vinyl. EU market
Germany - 2025 UMC CD EU market	Japan - 2025 UMC CD

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Album: The Who Live At The Oval 1971

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: USA (UMC), Canada (UMC), Czech Republic (UMC)

CDs Sampled: USA (UMC), Germany, (UMC), Japan (UMC)

HD Download Sampled: USA (UMC)

HD Download Comments: Clean, crisp and articulate. Please note the mastering is "brickwalled" (used appropriately to bring up the overall loudness of a track and help give some “oomf” that provides more intensity and impact. It can also add unwanted distortion and lessen the impact of transients in a mix – if used incorrectly.) The brickwalling <here> doesn't seem to affect the sound quality, but looks horrible when importing the music into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). 

CD Comments: The CD appears to sound identical to the HD version, just 16/44 vs. 24/96. Brickwalled, but sounds decent enough. There doesn't appear to be any noticeable differences between the USA, Germany and Japan CDs (listen to sound samples below).

LP Comments: Apparently there are <at least> (3) three different LP pressings: Canada (black vinyl), for the North American market, USA (splatter wax) and Czech Republic for the rest of the world. (I haven't confirmed an EU splatter wax pressing at this point). The LPs clearly sound different than the digital versions.

Other Comments: After lots of hype and waiting, I'm a bit disappointed. The performances sound "slow" (as if the tapes have been slowed down) through the opening of the concert. The lead vocals are a little low in the mix and the backing vocals, very low in the mix. The drums don't sound robust. All that being said, to be fair (which this may or may not be), I need to spend more time with this music as this is my first, initial reaction. Also, please note that when it comes to sound quality, I'm the toughest critic. If it's "OK", by me, you will probably love it.

In one of the "sillier" forums (Hoffman), there are a bunch of alleged "fans" who claim they "...were not buying the album due to the artwork." Yes... It's all a matter of "taste" (personally, I think the artwork is great and if you want to criticize artwork, have you seen Live At The Fillmore East 1968 ?) This is just another invalid excuse (each and every one of their excuses are comical) to avoid paying for a new Who release by a bunch of underperforming nincompoops... These same people seem to hate to reach into their pocket to buy the music they like to discuss 24/7. Before any album is released, they moan and grown about all the reasons they aren't going to spend the money to buy the album. Life is too short. Who can afford to waste their time listening to some fool complaining about something that hasn't even been released (at the time) and trying to convince others why they refuse to spend $15? Grow up people! :)

Summary: For me, it's the HD Download. However, below are many sound samples that you can listen to and draw your own conclusions.  

Track Listing: So Glad To See Ya,  Summertime Blues, My Wife, Love Ain’t For Keeping, I Can’t Explain, Substitute, Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Baby Don’t You Do It, Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You, My Generation, Naked Eye, Magic Bus  

Listen for yourself! Below are 30 second WAV samples from the album titles as described above. From HD Download (24/96): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From CD (USA): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From CD (Germany): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From CD (Japan): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From LP (USA - Splatter Wax) (24/96): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From LP (Canada) (24/96): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From LP (Czech Republic) (24/96): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.

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