CD vs SACD in STEREO

eBay lists those Wand Bruckner SACDs for around $40, when the shipping is factored in

kraftwerkturbo

Yes, you are on the right track, as above.

Happy Listening!

I found the Wand Bruckner RCA SACD at a thrift store for $2.99.

I buy almost all my music (LPs, CDs, SACDs) at thrift stores these days.

Just a sidenote regarding DSD conversion (reposted from IA below): 

So a good low budget DSD DAC for SACD playback would be a Topping D10S, likely better than the built in DACs of my 2 receivers (see above). But how does the analog converted 5.1 signal from the SACD get to the amplifier? Does the Topping have 5.1 analog out after digital to analog conversion? 

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When looking for a DAC that processes Direct Stream Digital (DSD) natively, you are looking for a device that maintains a "True 1-bit" signal path rather than converting the DSD signal to PCM before the final analog stage.

Many modern high-end DACs support native DSD, though the method of delivery (Native vs. DoP) often depends on the operating system of your source (e.g., Windows/ASIO vs. macOS).

Top DACs with Native DSD Support (2025–2026)

Understanding "Native" vs. "DoP"

• Native DSD: The pure 1-bit signal is sent directly to the DAC. This usually requires specific drivers (like ASIO on Windows) and high-bandwidth connections.

• DoP (DSD over PCM): This is a "clever trick" where DSD data is hidden inside a PCM envelope. It is not a conversion to PCM; the original DSD data remains bit-perfect and is "unwrapped" by the DAC once it arrives. This is commonly used on macOS because the Apple Core Audio driver doesn’t support raw DSD.

• D2P (DSD to PCM): This is a conversion. If your DAC doesn’t support DSD at all, your software will convert the file to a high-resolution PCM signal so it can play.

How to Verify Native Playback

If you want to ensure your DAC is actually playing natively:

1. Check the Display: Many DACs (like those from iFi, Topping, or SMSL) will display "DSD" or a specific sample rate (e.g., 2.8MHz) on the screen when receiving a native signal.

2. Signal Path: If you use software like Roon, look at the "Signal Path" icon. It will explicitly state if the signal is being sent as Native, DoP, or if it’s being converted.

3. Hardware Database: You can reference specialized lists like the NativeDSD Database to see if your specific model uses a separate chipset for DSD.

In regards to the OP’s original question:

 
CD’s are 44.1khz 16 bit recordings (20 if they use HDCD encoding)

SACD is DSD64, about 4 times the data density of CD rate

The intent of SACD format was to block ripping music, but anyone who bought an Oppo could get around that.

Sony has been removing SACD support from newer players, doesn’t look like SACD  media will be commercially viable in the future.

Blue Ray audio can easily hold much higher DSD rates than SACD and Rhino is remastering Atmos releases of classic Rock albums on Blue Ray, about the only physical media I buy these days