The Core doesn’t rip an SACD, but it can rip the CD layer of a dual-layer SACD/CD. The sound would be the same whether it was an SACD/CD or a CD, assuming it was the same master used for the CD in each case.
Hi Mike, yes it will rip the cd layer of a hybrid SACD, as i have done this. Does it sound better, difficult to say as you are not able to easily compare cd, cd layer, sacd layer…all having been treated differently. I certainly would not go out of my way to buy without a SACD player.
SACD’s can be ripped on old Playstations, not sure which one. There are a few blueray players that do it too apparently. This produces DSF, or DFF files, which the Core does play.