This is not correct. I have many SACD's, and most have three versions on the disc: the 2ch CD layer, the 2ch DSD (DSD is the encoding used for SACD), and the multi-channel DSD. On my player I can explicitly select which of the three I want to listen to. Some discs lack the CD layer, and some lack the multi-channel version, but almost all have a 2ch DSD version on them. It's easy for me to push a button and switch between the CD and DSD 2-channel versions on the same disc, and in my opinion, the DSD version is superior.
Sonicman - there isn't much of a cost difference going to a SACD player - why not try it for yourself?
There are only two layers on the disc. You have to have a player, and there are a lot that do not, that outputs from the DSD decoder. a lot od SACD players, and may be most, always convert to PCM. They just do not tell you that. When you switch to two channel the player is in fact doing the mix down in PCM. There is really no advantage over CD.
So it all boils down to whether you prefer the engineers mix or the players.
I have stated in numerous posts, that DSD does not allow processing without conversion to PCM. If the player allows you to output from the DSD decoder, then you have to select it, not PCM. If you select any bass management, or level matching from a player that will output from the DSD decoder, then you will not be able to select the option to listen from the DSD decoder.
If you do want to listen to the DSD decoder, then you have to have DIY skills to do level matching and generate a sub output in the analog domain. None of my SACDs have a sub woofer channel. I do level matching in the analog domain. I don't need to generate a sub woofer channel, as my left and right fronts, and both rears, are truly full range reproducers and I have no need for a sub. The center channel has an F3 of 44 Hz, but since it is a TL it is only 12 db down at 25 Hz, so there is not much compromise.
My SACDS are either two, three, four or five channel. I'm listening to a four channel one now.
By the way the same applies to receivers with DSD decoders. If you elect to have level matching, delay or bass management done, then there has to be a PCM conversion.
The industry have done their best to gloss over the fact, that the SACD DSD system was never really finished off. Hardly any consumers understand the formidable technical problems of listening from the DSD decoder and having the sound properly balanced.
If any one wants to really see what SACD can do, this is the disc to have. It is
Symphony N0.12 (Luosto) by Kalevi Aho.
This work was commissioned for an open air performance on Mount Luosto, Lapland in Finland
This performance was recoded in Sibelius Hall Lahti Finland.
At the front is the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and a tenor soloist. At immediate stage left and right front, are trombones and percussion sections each side. At center left and right sides are tympani sections. Towards the back left and right are horns and more percussion sections.
At the rear is the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, a saxophone soloist and a soprano soloist.
The first movement, "The Shamans" starts with hypnotic Laplander's drumming, and the drums are all around you and the drumming moves sometimes clockwise and sometimes anticlockwise. The force power and realism is astonishing and colossal. All drums crisp and no trace of boom. Not something to try if you have small rear speakers. The brass the comes in over the drumming.
The second movement depicts from the darkness of the arctic winter to midsummer.
The third movement has lyric "Songs of the Fells."
The fourth movement is a mighty storm in the Fells.
This is a most dramatic and atmospheric work.
At least on my system side imaging as well as front and back imaging is excellent. There is also excellent depth to the sound filed through 360 degrees.
We have been getting introduced to Kalevi Aho's music here in Minnesota, as the conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra is Osmo Vanska, who is from Finland. He founded the Lahti symphony orchestra, and he and Kalevi Aho are very close friends. Osmo has performed some of this composers music here in Orchestra Hall Minneapolis. The music has been enthusiastically received.
