rtsyrtsy wrote:Racio, you heard it after I did. Might you remember the specific models? Care sharing your thoughts?
I only chanced upon the unit outside AVDI's listening room/theatre. I believe it was the Marantz 8215 or somethin'. I was only able to listen to the Getz/Gilberto SACD that I bought from 'em that day, and yes, typical of SACDs, there was definitely more air, texture, dynamism and soundstage width than your run off the mill CDs (or XRCD2s for that matter). It had a consistency that made it neutral as neutral can be, albeit w/ a hint of sterility and a slight dose of electronic etch. As ever, equipment matching is vital 'coz I'd really cower at the thought of allying this format w/ hard and cold sounding audio gear (needless to say, some valve taming should be in order).
Like Ambel, my bet is on analog vs. SACD provided they are at the same price range.
-snipped-
As w/ Erik here, I did a similar test w/ my own gear, specifically, a Sony 700V SACDP (a model lower than Erik's), MF A3/24 upsampling DAC and an Oracle Delphi mk4 (w/ an RB300 and CA Aurum Beta Wood thru an MF XLP phonostage). Using the same artist and album title (Jacintha-"Autumn Leaves") in the 3 formats (CD, SACD, & LP) left me quite a definitive (yet personal) "aural perspective" of how unique they are from each other.
Ghastly as it may seem to some, the upsampled XRCD2 sounded warmer, softer and relaxed (I like your term "creamy" btw) than SACDs, 'coz to my ears, the newest format has somehow stretched the upper frequency zenith further. And it displayed competence in the bottom-end as well, it was fuller and heftier relative to the older digital format. Fine minute details and slight nuances were even more vivid. I was actually taken aback when I heard faint ivory keys being softly pressed while listening to Jacintha's poignant acappela intro (as what I thought it was) on "Moonriver", because those frail notes never occurred to me while listening to both CD and LP versions of the same song (well that's unless you crank the pot all the way up). With the two older formats, I only discerned the last two soft piano chords right before the blare of the full piano piece.
My vinyl spinner OTOH, though it didn't quite match the openness and outright resolution of SACDs, nor was it able to attain the same frequency extremes (JM did mention that the culprit behind all these might be the sonic limitations of my MM cart or my phonostage), it nevertheless resolved space and soundstage depth better, and held a firm grip on its throne w/ its rather organic texture and natural flow, w/c of course, rendered a more laissez-faire listening experience (yah gotto luv that!).