Is SACD really this lousy?

Albert; I enjoyed your well written post (just above). It describes very well how many LP users/lovers must feel. But I must respectfully disagree with one of your conclusions, ie "built on a format that has reached perfection......". Perhaps this means that the format(LP)is as good as it will ever get? Or it could mean that the goal of recreating the live performance was finally achieved only to be lost by the digital takeover. I choose to (optimistically) believe that some future digital format, in the hands of dedicated artists and engineers, is the best chance, or maybe the only chance, for this goal to be realized. Sincerely. Craig.

.......I hasten to add-- I have never heard YOUR system. I bet it is SPECTACULAR. Craig.

Albert; Your post of 7/7 is the most powerful, eloquent, and oviously painful statement I've yet to see in this forum. My follow-up posts above are just "blather" (to use one of Carl's words), and add nothing. Please disregard them. My only excuse is that it was 1:30 A.M. when I impulsively posted them. Your statement stands on its own. Respectfully, Craig.

I use to have a well burned in (500 hours for each format)Sony SCD-777ES sacd player,and while the clean detail and macro/micro dynamics were outstanding,it did not have the overall satisfaction that I got from my tweaked out Cal Alpha 24/96 /Delta combo.There was a warmer sound and a greater 3 D soundstage,at least in my system.Two other critical audio buddies (one a jazz musician)were part of the mix that helped me conclude my preferance.I did try vinyl for awhile,had a modest VPI HW-19 Mk III with an AQ PT-6 arm and a Benz Micro Glider and a few 100 mint discs from the pre cd days(even bought a few audiophile discs).I even had a VPI record cleaner.I had trouble getting the right phono pre amp.A Linn Linto and a BP-25MC(preferred tubes) were not right and the upgrade for my Audible Illusions M3A would have taken about 3 months, and my budget and patience was bottoming out ,so I sold all of my vinyl gear.Right now I use a Magnum Dynalab tuner in addition to my digital gear,and I am quite satisfied with that.At least to me,in an ideal situation where one has an expansive appreciation for many types (jazz classical,pop ect.) of talented music,yet does have preferences,then the need for both formats(vinyl/cd) is essential and complimentary.Each format has many albums that the other does not.We do not have to think alike or even agree ,yet we can still respect the others opinions and preferrances in a non defensive and respectful manner.If one is into criticizing another format(analog/digital) or type of music,how is one truly able to appreciate what they have(system/music) with these strong self righteous issues.Live and let live and your music takes on a whole new level of satisfaction.Free your mind and finally be able to totally embrace the music.After all,that's what it should be all about,shouldn't it?

Garfish,this is in reponse to your question of what study I referred to comparing digital vs analog.You had made a statement that digital listeners were more serene than analog listenes. I have seen while browsing several studies that all came to the same conclussin.Indeed that people subjected to listening to digital became more easily figidty,bored,distracted and felt an uneasiness compared to analog listening.You can search the net for these if you want to as I can't recall where I found them.What came to mind initially was a study I had read in the Jan.2000 issue of Stereophile VOL.23 NO.1 The article starts on page 55 and is called "God is in the Nuances" It is a long article and I wish I had time to copy it all.Here is just a small part of the study...Lets start with the emotional states of the participants.The participants began with a base tension level of 3.26,with the dgital system this dropped to 2.35 and with the analog system to 1.75.Nervousness was raised from a base level of 1.8 to 2.2 by the digital system,but fell to 1.1 with the analog system.The need for relaxation fell from a base level of 2.6 to 1.9 with the analog system,but rose to 2.9 with the digital system.The ability to concentrate remained constant with the analog system at 4.3 but fell to 3.6 with the digital system.Relaxedness stayed constant with the digital system at 4.0,but rose to 4.6 with the analog system.This shows that the analog system worked toward a feeling of serenity in the participants,whereas the digital system heightened tension and stress.Equally interesting was the response to the question of whether the participants liked the music they were played.With the analog system,43 out of 53 participants said they liked the Larry Conklin piece,46 the baroque music,and 38 the Sally Barker piece.The music was heard as interesting,emotionally appealing,and engaging.Via the digital system the levels fell to 31,33,and 35 respectively.The same music was now more often experienced as boring.Food for thought........The article goes on and on all pointing to analog as the most preferred set up.Read the entire study,it was done very well.