There are a lot of issues to consider, in my mind with the SACD players. Of course, SACD was initially meant to be a multi-channel audio only playback medium. Yet many of the best SACD players only offer two channel playback as a stand alone player. This suites many people in our hobby who have only two channel playback systems due to the attitudes toward multi-channel (right or wrong, I am not offering an opinion on this topic).
Secondly, many of these two channel SACD players (when I say an SACD player is a two channel player, I mean it only puts out two channels in analog mode) can put out the 3, 4, 5, 5.1 channels but only via the firewire/1394 or HDMI (1.1 or higher, I believe) digital outputs. This means that one must have a preamp (processor) that accepts the 1394 or HDMI audio inputs.
My guess is that the noticeable differences with the 5.1 channel SACD performance, the differences may become less noticeable. However, since I don't have multiple 5.1 channel source capabilities this is purely a guess.
On the other hand, I do have a bit more experience with 2 channel SACD playback - that being an Esoteric X-03 SE, EMM Labs CDSD.DAC6 combo, and a DCS Delius DSD/PCM DAC and an Oppo 981 that can put out both 2-channel and all the way up to 5.1 channel (which I have only listened to via its analog outputs into my pre/pro [Krell HTS 7.1 latest version]). This being said, I find that the differences between SACD 2-channel playback is comparable in differences/comparison/etc. . to comparing two red book CD players.
My suggestion to most people would be to procure one of the better SACD players and replace their stand alone redbook players. My experience is that the better SACD player/combos perform excellently with redbook sources - comparable to and even surpassing many stand alone redbook players (based on what would be natural or logical comparison of similarly priced/quality components).
All this being said, I am not so sure I would recommend to very many people to sell a beloved CDP just to upgrade to SACD. If the upgrade is part of a natural upgrade in equipment/performance than it is a good consideration, but to upgrade JUST to get SACD 2-channel may not be the best step. SACD multi-channel is fun to listen to, but I have still not decided whether it seems to feel a little bit gimmicky. I was listening to a Nora Jones multi-channel SACD last night and there were direct play instruments coming from my rear speakers - not very natural in my mind - but still a fun listen!
Secondly, many of these two channel SACD players (when I say an SACD player is a two channel player, I mean it only puts out two channels in analog mode) can put out the 3, 4, 5, 5.1 channels but only via the firewire/1394 or HDMI (1.1 or higher, I believe) digital outputs. This means that one must have a preamp (processor) that accepts the 1394 or HDMI audio inputs.
My guess is that the noticeable differences with the 5.1 channel SACD performance, the differences may become less noticeable. However, since I don't have multiple 5.1 channel source capabilities this is purely a guess.
On the other hand, I do have a bit more experience with 2 channel SACD playback - that being an Esoteric X-03 SE, EMM Labs CDSD.DAC6 combo, and a DCS Delius DSD/PCM DAC and an Oppo 981 that can put out both 2-channel and all the way up to 5.1 channel (which I have only listened to via its analog outputs into my pre/pro [Krell HTS 7.1 latest version]). This being said, I find that the differences between SACD 2-channel playback is comparable in differences/comparison/etc. . to comparing two red book CD players.
My suggestion to most people would be to procure one of the better SACD players and replace their stand alone redbook players. My experience is that the better SACD player/combos perform excellently with redbook sources - comparable to and even surpassing many stand alone redbook players (based on what would be natural or logical comparison of similarly priced/quality components).
All this being said, I am not so sure I would recommend to very many people to sell a beloved CDP just to upgrade to SACD. If the upgrade is part of a natural upgrade in equipment/performance than it is a good consideration, but to upgrade JUST to get SACD 2-channel may not be the best step. SACD multi-channel is fun to listen to, but I have still not decided whether it seems to feel a little bit gimmicky. I was listening to a Nora Jones multi-channel SACD last night and there were direct play instruments coming from my rear speakers - not very natural in my mind - but still a fun listen!