EMM LABS sacd vs cd


I expected the SACD output of my CDSD/DCC2 to blow away the cd. Such is not the case in my experience. On many disks e.g. "KIND OF BLUE" I actually prefer the CD version.
Although it's SACD version seems to offer a more vast soundstage, I prefer the dynamics of the CD version. Perhaps it is because my DCC2 has more break in time with CD than SACD? In any case where there is an improvement in SACD the difference seems minute.
jjwa
I would also have to agree that the difference between cd & sacd on a (dual layer) SACD is not that great. I find that EMM's magic in the converting of the PCM to DSD really pushed the cd quality to a level that when switched to the sacd layer it is very close in sound quality. The sacd layer will give you a deeper and wider soundstage. It also sounds a touch more harmonic/natural and seems to separate the instruments with more air than the cd layer. The cd layer seems to have a more dynamic punch to it. If you listen the Norah Jones sacd "come away with me" and then put in the regular cd and listen, there is a bigger difference between the two in my system. CD has come along way in the last 10 years and sacd is just starting. There is no doubt that sacd can out perform redbook cd if it is allowed to mature and the recording engineers perfect their techniques but, will sacd survive in the long term? I came up with the idea of "Music Squares" 8 years ago, storing music on memory chips but at the time the largest memory chips only held a few seconds of music but it sounded killer (no moving parts). You will see this technoloy in the next few years, postage stamp size albums in full fidelity! Remember where you told it first! Too bad I couldn't get investers interested, they all thought I was crazy!
To answer my own post after two weeks with the DCC2/CDSD combo: Break in with SACD is as crucial as with CD. The sound I'm getting now with SACD is aaaaamazing. It reminds me of the EXPLODE command on a computer program I use i.e. PCM exploded; bass, timbre, air etc.....left, right, front, back ...every where. I'm at the point where I can say I am finally satisfied with the sound of my system, limited only by the quality of the recording. Associated equipment: DCC2 & CDSD, ARC VT100 MkIII, VALHALLA IC & SC, KIMBER PK-10 PALLADIAN PC's, AUDIO MAGIC ECLIPSE Conditioner, VERITY AUDIO SARASTRO.
Yes you've finally come to your senses! :D SACD does the holographic surround effect with 2CH that redbook can't match. Not sure whether that's realistic but it's fun nevertheless.
Howie thanks. Right on. I was listening to DAVE BRUBECK's TIME OUT, what a difference!! (even KIND OF BLUE). The reason IMHO that CD "seems" more dynamic is because there is so much more detail & timbre to the music with SACD, which seems to "diffuse" the sound. But at higher volumes the dynamics and detail reveals itself.
Jjwa, I am curious what break-in ritual you used for the SACD playback functionality of your CDSD and DCC2. I went through an extended break-in ritual for the redbook CD aspects of my CDSD/DCC2 combo, but I have logged minimal SACD hours. Did you use a full frequency range SACD played on repeat to break-in the SACD functionality? How many hours of break-in were required for SACD to sound its best to you?