SACD/CD Question

Like the previous poster, I don't own this specific recording on SACD, but I do have a number of SACDs in my collection. I'm fortunate enough to have both a dedicated CD player as well as an SACD player and to be quite honest, if you have a high quality CD player you don't need an SACD player. That I found out via direct comparison between the two players (in 2-channel mode) using the same hybrid SACD in both, using electrostatic speakers by Martin Logan (which I believe are best suited for such comparisons as they bring out details that most mid-priced cone speakers are unable to deliver).
In your case I belive it is the recording that suffered not your system and I don't think an SACD player can save it.
For your own information, I found the SACD hype to be just that, more hype than fact. I find slightly better air present with SACD players, better feel for the size of the room where the recording took place but the music is the same, especially orchestral music (I own Beethoven's symphonies 1-9 on SACD and the CD player sounds just as good). For vocals there is slightly (slight is too big, less than that) more natural timbre but that depends on the player you use, as said already a good CD player will correct all that (try Audio Aero products to see what I mean, I use an Audio Refinement CD player which is nowhere near the Audio Aero Prima Cd player and it already matches my Marantz-8300 SACD player).

Good luck.

... upgraded system gear has shed some light on the initial question posted here. Having owned a Sony NS999ES with signature truth modifications by Modwright for about 6 months now has defintely shed some light on the benefits of SACD technology ... it is clear to me now that SACD is better than redbook CD playback. Performers are more palpable, bass goes deeper and has better articulation, highs have more extension, etc ... SACD does take you to the venue of the actual recording! (playing both formats through the same player). But you need to spend some money on a good mid-fi to hi-fi SACD player to reap the rewards. I also own an Audio Aero Capitole MKII SE Cd player which is very musical and has outstanding resolution. But SACD playback on the modified Sony player gets awfully close to the performance of the Capitole (for 1/4 of the price).

As far as the sound of the Volodos' recording goes I can tell you for sure it will sound better in SACD format on a good SACD player but I suspect that the poor quality sound you are getting in cd playback may be related to the sound engineering involved (i.e. equipment, mastering ... these are not always the same and can have a profound impact on the final outcome) ... hence even the SACD playback may not sound too good. Have you ever considered taking your hybrid CD to a high-end audio store and trying it out there in both formats? ... that may be the best way to tell.

Remy