i think one problem in making outboard DAC for SACD, is that the standard for the format does not allow digital outputs. This is one way Philips has appeased the recording industry, who are complaining of lost money due to CD copies being made. Of course Philips invented the Cd recorder also. they and Sony have now put out SACD, also due to the fact that the CD patent has run out, a new standard is needed for license fees. SACD does sound extrodinary. the DSD system really improves it. On hybrid discs, the CD layer sounds much much better than the standard Cd of the same recording. I will admit the Omega DAC holds up extremely well when compared to SACD layer on my new Philips SACD player (DVD963SA). But SACD does have a smoothness and naturalness, that a Cd lacks. SACD players have dropped in price conciderably, liek anything else in CE products. Anyone who bout a Philisp SACD 1000 when it first came out, i think paid way too much. It then became $499, which is still overpriced, because the newest DVD963SA is cheaper still, with improved performance specs. Next month the 5 disc changer is supposed to be out, for even less, but it's specs are not up to the DVD963SA, single drawer. I don't think digital outputs are gonna happen on SACD, how then will outboard DAC's be used? The digital out is just for standaard Cd 44.1 khz signal on the back of the 963
