So, I've just beat my old single-segment record (00:59) on a new Snes9x 1.51. The new record is 00:57, and it's still full of suck and fail. If you want to see how SM looks and sounds on a new emulator,
here's the movie file. (Will be hosted there until Microstorage starts accepting new SMVs.)
The main reason I've brought it up, though, is to demonstrate the differences in emulation.
Graphics: as you see, there's no more annoying line of pixels under the status bar, and that's perfect. The colors are a tiny bit more clean and natural (unless it's my imagination), and resemble ZSNES somewhat. Look especially close at some effects like Phantoon's death. It's MUCH better now.
Sound: I didn't like the default sound, and never will: 32 KHz + interpolation = mufflefest. And there are still some sound quirks noticeable in several places, where the pitch of a sound is different, or when one of the channels sounds quiteter, if at all. The amount of these quirks is similar to that of 1.43's, they're just a bit different.
Timing, etc.: I'm not sure why, but it feels as if there's more lag. There, however, isn't. Must be something with its intesity in certain spots (timed on powerbombs). Draygon's turrets attack faster, Ridley spews a lot of fireballs. Space/time beam doesn't work at all.