Barry -
I cannot find it in a quick google but I thought I had read in Earlge or Bartlett that MS decodes to a near coincident image even though it is, itself, coincident. I will check my manuals. You may very well be right.
However, back to the main point: lack of stereo cues. This has not been my experience when recording with MS. I get very good localization and a good stereo spread. It is adjustable, of course. And I get pretty good ambiance or "air." I like MS as it is a good quick and dirty setup when I am rushed in a venue I am not familiar with and need to get set up in a hurry. It is pretty good other times, too.
In short, MS is a valuable tool in my tool bag. It is not the only tool, but it is a good one.
And I will check Eargle and Bartlett and get back on that one.
I guess this thread is pretty hi-jacked by now and I apoligize to all for that.
Cheers