What happened with the SACD format?

There are many SACDs released every year by different labels.

Though CD playback has technologically improved over the years, there is no way it can come close to SACD, IMO.
Simple test would be recording an LP to CD (44.1/16) quality and to SACD (DSD). The latter sounds much closer to the vinyl/analog.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Syntax,

I can agree with you to some point as nothing beats my vinyl setup so far - Kuzma Stabi M + Kuzma 4Point + Dynavector XV-1s + my own phonostage.

However, I personally find many SACDs sounding much closer to it compared to XRCDs. The latter are sort of running hot, in my experience.

Of course, as many vinyl lovers would agree, it is very hard to match the high frequency extension of the vinyl, so may be this is the reason XRCDs sound more "lively" to you, but that is not all. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi