An SACD question

I have an Ayon CD5S and it's an amazing CDP and Pre and DAC all built into one and it's got an excellent tube output stage.

That said, I still find my EMM Labs XDS1 does a better job with both RBCD and SACDs partnered with an Audio Research Reference 5SE tube preamp.

I buy SACDs whenever I can.. often blind, from cdjapan.co.jp

The SHM SACDs are pricey but I am generally well pleased with the quality.

I've found the reverse to be true. My Carpenters SACD sounded better on my XDS1 than on a Playback MPD3

But that might be subject to change now I've gotten an MPS5 which can use the same DAC for disc and computer..