Sean- I appreciate your comment. Even though the Sony manual actually says that the outputs concerned (L/R on 2 channel and front L/R on 5 channel when listening to 2 channel recordings) are the same, I have switched the outputs (as well as the inputs on the pre-amp) just to make sure.
Easiest way to compare ICs
Has anyone noted that one side benefit of having a multi-channel SACD player is that two pairs of ICs can be hooked up concurrently to two different inputs. Assuming your pre-amp has a remote control (and of course proper "burn in" of the cables has taken place and you're listening to a two channel CD) a true A/B test switching between inputs can occur.
This has made my life a little easier.
This has made my life a little easier.