SACD Opinions: Gimmick? Like it? Don't? Why?

Im not talking about "mass produced" "redbook" cdp's here. Im talking about the edge of the art units that bring "redbook" to a whole new level never thought possible only a few years back. Ive heard a handful of CDP and DAC/TRANSPORT combos that I feel put out sound that is just plain incredible. Im sorry but sampling rate and filtering doesnt automatically mean better sound. Like stated earlier, these newer formats may have a higher ceiling potential, but in reality its proven that redbook has yet to hit its ceiling of performance still. Burmeister,Linn,Wadia and a few others make players with enormous potential. Ive yet to hear a SACD player do anything that one of these players couldnt do for our ears sonically. Im sure down the road this will eventually change whenever that time may be.

No doubt redbook CDP's are evolving and there some great players, including the Emm Labs Dac6, whose redbook playback in second to none. Still, the SACD play-back is even better.
If your price point includes the Burmeister and Linn, you need to hear the Emm Labs Dac6.

Thanks for the kind words, Sean.

I may agree that, in principle, the best Redbook CD is as good as SACD. However, the priorities of my life don't allow me to have the best in Redbook CD. Sure, were I to spend $5K - $20K on an Audio Aero, Electrocompaniet, Linn or other machine of that caliber, CD would sound glorious. But, I cannot.

This past weekend, a VERY discerning audiophile visited with a new pair of speakers(NHT monitors) he just bought on a lark. We hooked them up to my second system. They impressed me, especially for the price. Very nice. Later, I wanted to give him a taste of SACD. He was quite surprised. He didn't think it could be that much of a step up. Mingus' bass was so forceful, lifelike, and present. The rest of the music was just as sublime(again, vinyl done RIGHT still has the edge). I have not heard CD, in almost any of my experiences, be able to do that. From a player that anyone can pick up at very modest cost, I would say it's a no brainer.

I've owned a Levinson 39, 37 & 360s combo, sony SCD-1 & 777es as well as a BAT VK-D5 and Wadia 860...many others have also been demo'd at my home! SACD is not better than truly well recorded (current) redbook recordings from the likes of labels like New World Records etc... Redbook playback and software has come a long way in the last 4 years or so...so much so that with good equipment throughout a system you can place yourself in symphony hall!!! My last toy was the 777Es from sony...what a great piece..so much right about it that the rest doesn't matter! I am awaiting my Krell SACD player..Stereophile's Michael Fremer loved it!!! FYI...power cords, cables, outlets and component interactions vary so much that most people hardly ever hear what they have to it's fullest...and that is what drives many..including myself at times running for the next great thing. By the way, I've owned tons of amps and preamps as well..all absolute sound or stereophile category 1 and class A material..tubes and non tubes...at the end of the day I have found current generation Krell Class A components to deliver the best balance of both...i.e..you can close your eyes and be transported to the hall, goose bumps intact!

I myself have listened to the format where I work and I have'nt heard a real good "sound" yet. I am from the old school (Carver,Hafler,Nakamichi,etc). I right now own a Pioneer Elite Changer 20 Bit, and it sounds just fine to me. I have heard a slight difference in timbre response in the SACD format, but I can't say that it is any different then anything else I have heard, to make me want to go out and spend money on it. I think if you would update the D/A converter to an external device in the 24 bit - 96/192KHz range you might come close to the sound of SACD in sound depth and appeal, the problem with this format is that it has to be a certain type or it won't play on a standard cd player at that level and it is a waste of money if the cd player at home is sacd and the one in the car is not. It has to be hybrid or it just won't play at "full throttle".

This is my opinion of course, I hope this sheds some insight.