All cd players should be able to play the CD layer of a hybrid. I know that there are some who claim that putting two layers on the disc compromizes the performance of both layers. I have no idea about that. I own quite a few hybrids (mostly classical) and only play the CD layer. They sound quite good to me (I assume anyone who goes through the trouble of issuing a SACD has probably done a good job of recording and mastering regardless of the format).
There is a Japanese SACD manufacturer that issues very high priced discs made of some material other than conventional polycarbonate that insists that single layer is superior to hybrid. I heard a few and the discs do sound good. However, they do not issue a CD or hybrid equivalent, so there is no way to make comparisons.
There is a Japanese SACD manufacturer that issues very high priced discs made of some material other than conventional polycarbonate that insists that single layer is superior to hybrid. I heard a few and the discs do sound good. However, they do not issue a CD or hybrid equivalent, so there is no way to make comparisons.