My reference version

This hybrid SACD of "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" is for me still the reference recording of this masterpiece from 1970. As with the MFSL Gold CD 1993 or Eric Clapton Remasters 1996 here was the original stereo master ennobled in 1970, with significantly punchier bass and drums as in the stereo remix of 1990 ("The Layla Sessions" -Boxset). On the whole, the frequency spectrum is quite balanced, fair enough bass and drums could but may be somewhat more concise and punchy. The guitar work of Eric Clapton and Duane Allman sound comes not as domineering over as the remix from 1990, but this leads to an overall significant increase in transparency and more natural. My assessment refers only incidentally to the pure stereo versions (barely audible differences between the SACD stereo version and the normal stereo version), because my music so far steadfastly comes just two stereo speakers or stereo headphones.

Overall, you could in a new remaster quite so still rectify (perhaps one should even the good Steve Hoffman thus instruct), but until then, this hybrid SACD remains absolute reference!