SACD is VERY confusing

I recently added a stand alone DAC to my Esoteric DV60 Universal player. Before, I could play back SACD’s...through the DV-60. Now I cannot play these discs as SACD's. BUT, and here’s the thing, the improvement that the DAC made to the whole SQ is far superior than what the sound of SACD’s was through just the player alone. Surprisingly, even true with the CD layer of SACD played through the combo. ( and the DV-60 is no slouch on playback!) OTOH, the combo can play back DVD-A’s as this digital stream is passed through to the DAC. I looked at Paul’s very interesting video, and of course it made perfect sense. BUT, I do wonder if DVD-A’s could be ok from a copyright and artist royalty scenario, why SACD’s could not? Seems odd.

Also, I think that the idea of SACD is good, except I also think it was hyped too much. IME, the quality of the sound one is going to get is far more dependent on the quality of the original master recording, and a lot less on the the fact that is is a CD at 44.1 vs a SACD at DSD.

Not sure what the confusion is about SACD.

You buy SACD players to play SACD discs and connect the RCA/XLR out to preamp or integrated amp. The only way to get DSD out is through HDMI/I2S cables of some blu-ray players and get the output to the DAC.

Last option is to rip SACDs as DSF/DFF files and lay them through the DACs using USB or I2S cables. You will never get DSD through coaxial unless you use players like Meitner which state the following:
 

• Up to 24bit/192kHz & DSD support over all inputs: USB Audio, AES, TOSLINK, COAX and Network(RJ45)

soix;

I remember that war well. Sony had the technically superior format but convenience and longer play time won that war.

When SACD prices became reasonable, Content I already had in CD, I bought same content in hybrid SACD/CD to hear the difference. Even if DSD is converted to PCM at the last stage, the 'up front' DSD advantages/differences are there.

My conclusion: Lower Noise Floor, Piano, solos, sometimes un-naturally quiet. I learned not to try to hear the difference, just enjoy the content.

Now, I buy 'new to me' used Hybrid SACD discs, IF decently low price. Because it is my 1st listening of the content, not comparing, SACD layer it is . Certain content, usually long solos, I can decide if the SACD layer is un-naturally quiet, then I listen to the CD layer.

btw, lasers get weak with age, and if buying used, make sure the equipment can readily find the SACD layer, many used units find CD layer, but not SACD layer. And, check on eBay: are replacement laser assemblies available for that unit?

I use my Oppo to rip the SACD layer onto my server. Works fantastic.