Kublakahn:
I know how you feel--what digital product should I invest in? How will things work out in the industry? Do I need SACD? Can combination players do the trick? etc.
I finally decided to get over it with SACD. I bought a Mude Model 10, which I can run straight into my amps with an ANALOG remote volume control. It is quite simply the best digital I have ever heard. Really. Now, a huge world of existing CDs is opened up for me. It sounds so good on all kinds of discs, it's almost like playing records. I don't have to buy from a limited catalog of wierd and obscure performances on SACD, or be limited to choices from the past that SONY reissues. The Muse is not a chic, in-crowd, high visibility player. I know that I will never get my money out of it if I wanted to sell. I chose to put my money where my mouth (and ears) is and went for superior Redbook and DVD-A playback. I can always buy another SACD player if I must, but why? I won't find SACDs of hot new recordings in the record store. The industry doesn't care about them. I'm happy with my choice.
jeffreyfranz