SACD 2 channel vs Redbook 2 Channel

I, like Ben, decided after owning a Shanling T200 SACD/CD and a modified Sony 999ES that I didn't discern enough difference between the two formats to justify any new investment in SACD disks or equipment. Since my collection is 99% redbook, I chose to allocate my dollars to maximizing redbook playback. This is not to say I have dismissed SACD, quite the contrary, but at this moment with technology changing quickly it doesn't make sense to me to invest in high end hardware before the format wars have run their courses.

matchstikman, I am a strong proponant of vinyl, and I really think the labor issue is overblown. It takes time to get the original setup right, but after that there really isn't a lot to worry about, unlike some will indicate!

Get a little help from your friends, ultimately I think you will be happier with LPs. I could be wrong though.

While I'm also a strong proponent of vinyl (I've listened to almost nothing but since I returned 6 mos. ago), I don't think it renders the debate as moot since there is almost no decent vinyl available for recent recorded music. Even where vinyl is available, to my ear it is so digitally processed that it soulds no better than the CD in most cases or worse. I restrict my vinyl collection to pre 1980's stuff at the latest.

Vinyl is great, but I gave it up and have not regretted it -- if I were
just getting into this -- at this stage in the development of digital -- I would not get into vinyl -- just my opinion. I also think this starts a
different thread -- the original poster only asked about the difference between CD and SACD.

I had just received an ASCD version of Beethoven symphonies 5 and 7, and did a direct comparison to a CD version that I already had and loved. But what a difference in the dinamic range. I had to lover to volume and still had cristal clarity during soft passages. I recomend to anybody who still doubts the superiority of SACD to listen to this recording.