I had one for about a year and a half and I really wanted to like it, but it was just very ordinary-sounding IMO. I just didn’t want to listen for long periods of time. Frankly, I gave up on SACDs because, as you pointed out, your good DAC playing red book sounds better than SACDs on the Pioneer. I used to have an Esoteric X-05 and it was the same. Maybe when you get into the 10k range, the players bring out more of the potential of SACD, assuming there is any, but I haven’t experienced it. Certainly not with the 205.
Oppo UDP-203
I might have an opportunity to trade for an Oppo UDP-203. Anyone have experience with one for SACD?
My current SACD player is a Pioneer PD-D6-J and it simply can't compete with my current Maverick Audio TubeMagic D2 DAC with WE 396A tube and Sparkos op-amps.
Could I expect the Oppo to be a significant upgrade for my Pioneer? I know the Oppo UDP-205 was the more audiophile targeted model.