My system has a Wadia 7/9 combination and a Sony SCD-1 in the digital front end. I've had the SCD-1 for two years now.
In general I find the Wadia on redbook to be a bit better than the SCD-1 on redbook (better soundstage and midrange).
XRCD's on the Wadia sound very good but to me don't match the detail and clarity of the small label direct DSD recordings, or the SACD's mastered by Doug Sax. However they sound as good or better to me than many of the Sony SACD's.
I think that a superbly mastered CD (i.e. XRCD) can sound better that a poorly mastered SACD, but that a well mastered SACD will sound better than a well mastered CD, given equivalent quality front ends.
In general I find the Wadia on redbook to be a bit better than the SCD-1 on redbook (better soundstage and midrange).
XRCD's on the Wadia sound very good but to me don't match the detail and clarity of the small label direct DSD recordings, or the SACD's mastered by Doug Sax. However they sound as good or better to me than many of the Sony SACD's.
I think that a superbly mastered CD (i.e. XRCD) can sound better that a poorly mastered SACD, but that a well mastered SACD will sound better than a well mastered CD, given equivalent quality front ends.