Why is Sony Digital sound more like vinyl?

Final thoughts on Sony XA redbook performance. I've decided I like the redbook performance of the Marantz SA-14 better. It's just more tonally opulent, even though this leads to some muddying of textures in climaxes, but not much. However, I was just looking through my journal in which I had reported to myself that, once I had gotten over the Marantz' "glow" and bass-heft, redbook still left me cold compared to SACD. So there you go. I've decided to keep the Sony for its SACD playback--(can't complain in any way)--and give my redbooks a rest for awhile. I sold another 800 of them.

Jdaniel-I suppose that's where system synergy comes into play...through Watt/Puppy 6's and ARC tube gear (don't forget the power cord HT AC-11-a must for Sony digital gear) it is uncanny how it lays out the orchestra with exceptional detail and neutrality. My IC's are very neutral while my Speaker cables are full bodied yet controlled!

Agree totally about detail and neutrality, but going from long listening periods of SACD surround and two-channel, to redbook was just *too* disappointing. It's *so* over for me and redbook; that's the point I was making. If you all out there don't want your boat rocked, *don't* listen to SACD! (And no, i'm not buying a $8K+ redbook CD player. ; )

Interesting Jdaniel, I have not been that disappointed with redbook considering most SACD's available incur PCM decimation during production and redbook recordings have improved markedly...I have some early 60's redbooks that are amazing. Some recording engineers know what makes for a good recording and others haven't a clue...that goes for CD or SACD! What does your system consist of??

Vandersteen 3A sigs, Vandy center and surrounds, Cardas Neutral reference inteconnects and bi-wires, Musical Fidelity A308 Integrated and a Harmon Pardon amp for center and rears. If a good recording means imaging, bloom, large soundstage, etc; then I have heard some great redbook CDs as well. SACD just offers something more. I listen to Classical and it just seems to flatten during tutti sections with most redbooks. Exceptions include some Reference Recordings, and some Collins Classics. (Find Vaughan Williams "Job" on Collins if you can.) Next year I'm going to pick up another Marantz, perhaps the SA11 S1 that's coming out IF it's as good as the SA 14 v2 on redbook. Looks like it's just going to be messy for awhile.