[Mag]

I have both the DTS and Sacd version of Kitaro- Live at Yakushiji. I want to like the Sacd version but if I am honest with myself I think the dts version is better.
Where Sacd excells is in very realistic bass and overall smoothness. This is most apparenent at above average volumes when comparing to cd (DSOTM comparisons) where at the same above average volumes the cd sounds harsh. But compared to the DTS version the sound in the mids and highs seem muddy and less defined.
DTS is just as smooth as Sacd at above average volume. But the highs have what I call an edge that brings out detail, liveliness and clarity to the music. The bass however doesn't carry the weight of Sacd but may be perceived as more articulate.
I am quite prepared to abandon Sacd for DTS as I was hoping with Blu-ray dvd that DTS would take over as the standard hi-fidelty of music. Unfortunately from what I've read neither format is being supported to the extent that it should be and that is a real shame for the music industry.

[Bizarroterl]

HiDef music has been abandoned by the industry.  It started wrong, with 2 competing formats (SACD and DVDA) and fragmented from there.  Since consumers were confused and held back their purchases, the proponents of the formats gave up promoting them.  That further doomed them.   They're now just an esoteric that will gradually disappear.  J6P wants to get as many mp3's on his/her ipod as possible.  Sound quality? 

Hmm.  This is starting to sound like HDDVD/BluRay.   

[fmw]

I can't help but wonder if you just prefer the way the DTS version was mastered.  Theoretically, SACD should sound "better."

[ted_b]

What is your player and/or processor?  Maybe the DTS decoding is better executed in your decoder than the SACD side; I find that hard to believe, but possible, assuming your SACD player is a lower-priced model.  As FMW says, the resolution of SACD is worlds beyond the lossy DTS stuff.  OTOH, although I don't have an SACD counterpart to compare it to, my DTS copy of Lyle Lovetts' Joshua Judges Ruth is still one of my fave hirez mixes, and I own 100+ SACD's and DVD-A's.  That's not to say the SACD version (doesn't exist) wouldn't stomp on it, especially given my Modwright universal player.