Corrections to the above reviews

I have both the US and Japanese releases of Different Stages. The main differences are:

1) A lot of Japanese text on the Japanese version. Go figure.
2) Tour book from the AFTK tour
3) One bonus track, Force Ten. This is a good version of this song, but not worth forking over the $$$ for this set unless you are a hardcore fan.

If you ARE a hardcore fan, the tourbook is the real reason to get this set. NOTE: I have heard that subsequent Japanese issues of this DO NOT INCLUDE the tourbook, so caveat emptor.

Now, about the sound quality of the two version. Let me tell you, it is EXACTLY THE SAME. How do I know? Because I ripped disc1 from both releases and compared the audio in a high-end sound editor. Guess what? They were identical.

Full five stars!!!

Totally worth the not-so-high-price it costs.
This three disc album is a one-set yesterday and today live compilation. It shows the listener how the canadian trio evolved through twenty years of musical career without loosing a bit of its power and strength.
Cover art is also wonderful, especially the inner pages containing images of a full set of collectibles any Rush fan would love owning.

a little too expensive

Maybe it's just me, but there's very little difference in sound between the domestic release and this imported release of Different Stages. Don't be fooled by all of the advertisements. They all say it has extra tracks. They should say extra track. Not tracks. The only extra track is Force Ten, and the live version on A Show Of Hands is much better. If you collect imports, and you like Rush, and you like spending too much money, then get this cd. Otherwise, there's not much difference, other than the extra song and the fact that this imported version comes with a booklet of the lyrics to all the songs on this cd. In English and in Japanese.