OK, I agree with all or part of what y'all are saying. Baggy most nailed it, though: music has to come first for me. Bessie Smith mono '78's or LP/CD copies are preferable to listening to a mediocre modern blues artist, even in an active Quad mix. Blasphemy!!
Adam, you nailed the description of the fidelity and mix of DeLIVErin.' Live mud and an eh Quad mix. Review my comments and you'll notice I said musically, I liked Deliverin' and Crazy Eyes best.
disclaimers: I'm a Poco completist. I'm also a huge Messina fan. I have all of his solo stuff and even a mint copy of Messina/Jesters LP. Also have autographed copies of some of his later solo stuff. Can you guess I'm partial to Messina? Last caught him live in reunion w/Loggins. All it was missing was Jon Clarke.
Not sure I've heard the SQ of DeLIVErin', but I did buy the Q8 (my most listened to copy) and CD. I'd gladly rebuy it on 2ch SACD, though I'd prefer a Quad SACD.
OK, I like the Crazy Eyes mix, besides the music. Bought it on Q8, CD & DTS CD, and all Quads after it on SQ, CD & SACD.