Whip, as I commented in my previous reply, DPLII, etc., processing of 2-channel material can't "duplicate the total effect" of a multi-channel recording which places instruments discretely beside or behind the listener, and only gives you "part" of what you want. In my case, however, my listening is almost entirely classical(I've made numerous recommendations here in the "Stunning" thread and others)and the ambient surround effects pretty much fully satisfy me.
Very little classical music(the Berlioz Requiem is an exception)was composed with the intent to have some of the performers to the side or back of the listeners. I have no doubt that the Respighi performance that you attended made a spectacular effect, but that ain't the way Respighi wrote it. If you want a reasonably good performance of Pines, Fountains and Festivals(my favorite versions are Batiz and Muti)in SACD(ambience in the surround channels, not discrete performer placement)it's available
here .
