@Elizabeth , I'm really sorry that you haven't heard how good SACD can sound. I'm really perplexed when you say that SACDs lack air and ambience. I've found just the opposite, that a well mastered SACD gives me room ambience that even the best CDs cannot match.
I'm not questioning your ears, but there's got to be something 'wrong' for you to hear less 'air' on SACD than Redbook CD. Not trying to argue, but I bet that one day you will hear this yourself. (When you do, remember me ;-)
Oh, and I'm definitely talking 2-channel... and even mono.
Happy Listening!