Thanks for the link and the Pretenders suggestion! Would you say its a toss up between DVD-A and SACD? What's the diff and which sounds better; or does the "which sounds better" question depend on the recording?
In most cases it does come down to the recording/mastering. I've owned the SACD and DVD-A versions of some discs and usually if one is good, the other usually will be too, though I could hear differences on a few of them because there are different processes/software they use to create each. Three Doors Down
Away From the Sun was actually better on DVD-A. In terms of the formats these days, if cost is a factor to you, just get the one that goes for less. In many cases, some are only on DVD-A (like Porcupine Tree) or SACD, and others may be in both formats but you may only be able to find one or the other now.
Not sure if it makes a diff or not, but I listen in 2 channel on my music only system; not in 5.1 or greater.
I'd check the info for the discs on something like
www.SA-CD.net to determine the audio tracks available because not all of them have 2ch material (I would say discs without 2ch tracks are rare though), while some are 2ch only.
Some more of my favorite discs are Patricia Barber
Cafe Blue and
Companion Both 2ch only. Note the price of Cafe Blue now too...YIKES (as of this post it is listed as $377 new, $249 used).
I listened to the Pretenders II disc last night and the sound is quite excellent. I didn't realize it was a Mobile Fidelity disc.