SACD 2 channel vs Redbook 2 Channel


Are they the same? Is one superior? Are they system dependent?
matchstikman
From MUCH experience with good SACD's and good DVD-Audio discs played through many high-end systems, I have to say that I prefer DVD-Audio consistantly to SACD.Good SACD's sound wonderful, but they just don't impress me as much or move me as emotionally as a good DVD-Audio disc does!
My friends agree with me also about this.I EXPECTED SACD to sound better than DVD-Audio considering all the Glowing reviews and hype from Sony,etc!But, the real proof is in the listening!The first time I listened to a few great SACD's I thought:"SACD sounds really good, better than most CD's".The first time I heard DVD-Audio, I thought WOW!I kept listening to the same disc and other DVD-Audio discs over and over!I personally think a top-notch Dvd-Audio disc played through a high-end system sounds better than a top 'red-book' CD, SACD, or Analog in any form!If I had my choice, I would go with DVD-Audio any day!!
With the possible exception of the TEAC D70 and P70 duo, I have had but one instance where cd is the better of sacd. Pink Floyd DSOTM. I have had some exception units, such as the Meitner DAC6, the Lindemann, and the Allen Wright Sony 9000 where the cd is much improved, but so was sacd.

I think the success of sacd indicates that all it criticism is off the mark. I know with my ears that sacd is substantially superior to cds.

On AA high res was split into dvd-a and sacd, because of the intensity of argument over which is superior. Out of curiosity when I got a Exemplar/Denon 2900 universal player I bought two dvd-a with music to my taste. I cannot stand them and will buy no more. I have been told that the older format, DAD, sounds superior to DVDA so I am going to try some of these Classic and AIX releases.
Being the owner of both a Sony SCD-1 SACD player and a Linn Sondek CD12 along with a Burmeister DAC I will have to give the nod to redbook cd's still. SACD has been a big dissapointment in my household, the few SACD discs I have picked up were no better than any of my current cd's in my collection in terms of overall sound quality and listening enjoyment, and quite a few of them I felt sounded poor in comparison to their inferior "redbook" counterparts. In fact 2 of the local hi-fi shops in the area have stopped carrying SACD players altogether due to poor sales and very mixed feelings on their true ability. Lp's and cd's are still the top 2 formats from my many hours of listening experience and will continue to be in the forseeable future. I have been intrigued by DVD-A audio and its potential but I have yet to see much interest to date. It would be nice to see this format take off.
I can see why some people might think that SACD is not a big enough improvement over Redbook CD to warrant changing formats. But having listened to both, I have a hard time understanding why people think that Redbook CDs are no improvement and that some Redbook CDs are actually better. To me SACDs generally sound significantly better, and I would be happy if they replace the now 20 years old Redbook standard.