Granted, Heifetz' violin is recorded a bit closely, not exactly a 6th row orchestra sound -- maybe that's the problem?? Close-micing is common problem with classical recordings. Many producers and engineers seem to assume that listeners want to hear the performance as from the podium or a seat amongst the players. Most of us don't.
Still, the sound is very good: the close perspective lets you hear the rosin and such nuances. I find the SACD stereo layer from my modest Sony CDR-CE775, sounds slightly airier and perhaps more detailed; however the CD layer, played back from my computer sounds quite good, not harsh or disagreeable, actually a bit smoother than from the Sony.
You should consider that the violin as a squeeky sounding instrument, especially if close-miced. Beyond that, maybe your $100K isn't so well choosen as you imagined. I guess my <$10k system has it beat for musicality: see it here, but note that the above comparison didn't use iTunes but instead Foobar2000 and ASIO output to the Audiophile USB.
Bill Bailey
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Feanor's list of 250 Core Classical Compositions
