I own both an Audio Meca Mephisto transport / Audiomeca Dac and a Sony 9000ES DVD SACD player (with Aloia pre-amp, audio techne interconnects, Plinius amps and Dunlavy V speakers).
I have made a very careful comparison of Weather Report Heavy Weather on both players. First, I believe the source for the SACD may have been different from the source used for the re-issued red book CD. The background is quieter on the SACD and some of the instrumental phrasing seems slightly different. I actually prefer the CD for overall sound. The bass is fuller/deeper/more punchy and the transcients sharper on the CD. The electronic keyboards sound better on the CD, but the piano seems more correct on the SACD. The sax also sounds truer on the CD to me. This disk has lots of percussion and I feel the SACD is slightly harsh in some places.
I actually prefer the audiomeca so much that I no longer look for SACD releases. There is something special about this player. Indeed, I am actually satified with my system for the first time.
I have made a very careful comparison of Weather Report Heavy Weather on both players. First, I believe the source for the SACD may have been different from the source used for the re-issued red book CD. The background is quieter on the SACD and some of the instrumental phrasing seems slightly different. I actually prefer the CD for overall sound. The bass is fuller/deeper/more punchy and the transcients sharper on the CD. The electronic keyboards sound better on the CD, but the piano seems more correct on the SACD. The sax also sounds truer on the CD to me. This disk has lots of percussion and I feel the SACD is slightly harsh in some places.
I actually prefer the audiomeca so much that I no longer look for SACD releases. There is something special about this player. Indeed, I am actually satified with my system for the first time.