The Who – Tommy

This edition of "Tommy" may well be the best sounding record in my collection. Not kidding. Like many, I've owned the OG of this since I was a teenager, and have never known it to sound any other way. Until now. The drums and bass are punched way up, but not thumping like dub, which deliberately is heavy in the low end, but Moon's drums are almost hard to describe. It's almost as if he's across the room just crashing away in the most controlled manner. The song "Smash the Mirror" is of particular interest, with it's powerful drumming, guitars and eventual smashing of the mirror. It all sound's so clear and clean.

Everything else, from the vocals, and the guitars, and definitely Entwistle's bass are super heavy and present in the mix. The whole mix is more powerful than prior mixes, and that would include the 1990's MoFi Gold releases. The packaging and actual records are all top notch; flat, centered, heavy, no edge sharpness, just a joy to behold. Again, if you need a desert island version of "Tommy" this is it, hands down. 10/10

I can't believe how much better this pressing sounds than any other edition of TOMMY I've ever heard. The clarity and depth of the instrumentation and vocals is dramatically improved, bass and drums have more oomph, and there's more definition and detail to the soundstage. An absolute grand slam. My copy plays beautifully, with zero surface noise of note.

This sounds great for a digital cut.. Better than the KPG cut from 2014, IMHO. However, it doesn't better analog cuts, like the US - Gilbert Kong cut on Decca, or 1st UK Track pressing. Worth picking up if you can't source one of those vintage pressings. Great bass, nice and punch. A little strident on the top end though.

Adding to the chorus of record nerds who are blown away by this pressing. This immediately jumps up to being one of the best sounding records I own. So rich, clear and beautiful. Can't recommend it enough!

It was like a new adventure to listen to the detail of this album. I have seen The Who at least a dozen times and I can honestly say they have never sounded as good as they do on this pressing. My system is "old school". Turntable is a Clearaudio Emotion SE with a Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge, pre-amp is a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 with dual Telefunkin Diamond tubes. All of this is fed in to a ICON Audio 40 MKIV integrated KT-88 tube amplifier.

Get this pressing. Beats the UK and NZ pressings I used to own, as well as the 2015 reissue I'm selling. Everything is so detailed and well defined. Bass is punchy and full, vocals are the clearest I've ever heard.

Fantastic master. Just purely sublime, probably the best this album will ever sound. I found this for $27, which is an absolute steal for this quality. Only thing is that the sleeves are a bit hard to get into the jacket, but when the pressing sounds this superb, that's small potatoes

This pressing makes me feel like I'm listening to Tommy for the first time. The space between the instruments is otherwordly. It's transcendent. Buy a copy. Thank me later.

A step up from my numbered UK 1st pressing I purchased new in 1968. This repress is sonically superior due clarity of instruments, improved bass definition, and no harshness that I've come to expect with many compressed remasters. Vinyl is flat and quiet without refill issue listed by other reviewers. Outer sleeve has two layers of thick cardboard built into front and back of sleeve that prevent warping and dishing. Similar design as 1st UK sleeve but more sturdy.

Great mastering but Optimal is up to its usual routine with my copy, visible and audible no fill across side A and B, especially Side B track one as noted below. Fix your shit Optimal, this predictable crap from you is tiresome.