I'm listening to the surround mix of S&A as I tap this out on my phone.
I'm listening to the disc via a Pioneer DV-757Ai into a Sony STR DB-1080 using the 5.1 analogue outs on the Pioneer. Not awesome kit but all my Porky Tree DVD-A discs sound great (as do SW's solo releases).
S&A in surround is very full-on right from the start. I'm definitely finding that there has been little use of dynamic range in this Rush release. Bit of a shame. When I listen to their older stuff, I always want to keep turning it up, but with this release I find my ears getting tired and I want to turn it down. I know this is a rock album, but a band of Rush's experience and stature don't need to compress their dynamic range and blaze away the whole time. I'd love to hear more subtlety in these songs.
Geddy's vocal is much less than crisp and clear on many of the tracks. Wish the surround channels had been used to better effect with the harmony vocals instead of sticking them all over the main vocal.
There's a lot of richness in the sound of the bass and drums. I like that but it does get a little "swampy".
Overall, I gave it a 5. I'd like to have found a more interesting and involving use of the 5.1 mix. It could have really opened up the sound of the recording over and above the stereo mix but it doesn't.
I enjoyed the video diary on the making of the album which is partly why I gave the disc a 5 seeing that it was really the only major benefit to already having S&A on CD. Perhaps that was a bit harsh but the trouble is, once you know what is possible with a 5.1 mix anything which hasn't been given much attention is going to be a bit of a let down.
Come on Rush! Give us a glorious 5.1 version of Clockwork Angels and all will be forgiven.