I don't believe so Sam. I use 2 channel analogue outputs. If you use the digital you then bypass the DAC in the player and are using and external DAC or the one in a receiver. (I believe, I'm not a digital expert) I wonder though. If a lot of the SACD quality comes from having a better mix down that is compatible with higher grade audio systems. Over all the years of fooling with audio the one thing that is always true is that the better the system. The better the well recorded, mixed and engineered software sounds. And, the worst mediocre and poor quality recordings sound. I have found some really good cd's to be quite nice while the bad ones are really just unlistenable. same with vinyl. they are not all the same.
Bill