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Being completely new to all this DSD stuff, if I have a DSD-capable Dac (I am soon to buy a Benchmark Dac2), what do I need to feed it with some DSD content? I know I can use a PC or a Mac, but I don't have any DSD rips. All I have is a few SACDs.
How do I get SACDs (without transcoding to PCM) to play on my new Dac? I thought SACD players would not output DSD streams, or am I mistaken?
Have to say I am a bit puzzled.
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Post by Claude April 22, 2013 (2 of 22)
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You touch the most relevant question. What is a DSD-capable DAC good for currently?
The biggest source of DSD content is SACD, but you can't connect a SACD player to your DAC, due to copyprotection restrictions. Some SACD players can output DSD over HDMI, but there is no DAC with DSD-capable HDMI input. So SACDs need to be ripped with a modded PS3 and the DSD files played on a PC.
The other sources for DSD files are:
- downloads (still rare): http://dsd-guide.com/where-can-you-find-dsd-music-downloads
- live recordings or transfers of LPs or other analogue sources, using a DSD recorder
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Post by tailspn April 22, 2013 (3 of 22)
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Chippy_boy said:
Have to say I am a bit puzzled.
How about purchasing some DSD downloads to go with your new $2,000 DAC? Just Google DSD downloads, and you'll find most of the vendors.
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Is that really what it comes down to? Either rip it yourself from SACD, or buy content from the pitiful online catalogue?
I had hoped there might be other options. I keep reading reviews where the reviewer says "I hooked my SACD player up to my DSD Dac and it sounded marvellous", or suchlike comment.
So they basically have no clue what they are talking out because the SACD player is outputting converted PCM, right? They might as well hook it up to a non-DSD capable Dac.
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Claude said:
Some SACD players can output DSD over HDMI, but there is no DAC with DSD-capable HDMI input.
There are, of course, DSD-capable HDMI inputs can be found on various prepros and AVRs, many of which are able to convert the signals to analog without PCM intermediary. Of course, some SACD players will do this, too, obviating the need for a DAC.
Also, I have heard rumors that the NAD M51 DAC may soon play DSD via its HDMI input.
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Post by zeus April 22, 2013 (6 of 22)
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Kal Rubinson said:
Also, I have heard rumors that the NAD M51 DAC may soon play DSD via its HDMI input.
Interesting, if true. Though it already does such a great job with PCM (at any sampling). Adding DSD would at least allow you to pay more for your downloads ...
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zeus said:
Interesting, if true. Though it already does such a great job with PCM (at any sampling). Adding DSD would at least allow you to pay more for your downloads ...
Perhaps. I am a proponent of listening to media in the format they were made and avoiding transcoding. OTOH, the differences are really small if the transcoding is done well. Your move.
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This is all really good info for me, but makes me puzzled about a whole load of things, such as,
If Sony had decided not to allow raw DSD digital output from SACD players, why is it now be allowed via HDMI?
Given that the only way to get raw DSD output from a SACD player is via HDMI, why do we have now 40+ DSD capable dacs, not one of which has a DSD capable hdmi input? Seems utterly bonkers. If Pioneer and Onkyo and whoever in the HT space can do this, why not audio only dacs?
(I understand the Wyred4Sound Dac2 has an HDMI input, but they are using this for i2s PCM signalling)
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Post by Claude April 23, 2013 (9 of 22)
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Kal Rubinson said:
There are, of course, DSD-capable HDMI inputs can be found on various prepros and AVRs, many of which are able to convert the signals to analog without PCM intermediary. Of course, some SACD players will do this, too, obviating the need for a DAC.
Also, I have heard rumors that the NAD M51 DAC may soon play DSD via its HDMI input.
Yes, I meant stand-alone DACs.
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Post by Claude April 23, 2013 (10 of 22)
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Chippy_boy said:
If Sony had decided not to allow raw DSD digital output from SACD players, why is it now be allowed via HDMI?
Given that the only way to get raw DSD output from a SACD player is via HDMI, why do we have now 40+ DSD capable dacs, not one of which has a DSD capable hdmi input? Seems utterly bonkers. If Pioneer and Onkyo and whoever in the HT space can do this, why not audio only dacs?
It's about copyprotection.
Apparently, the biggest obstacle is the licensing fees for HDMI/HDCP, which makers of home cinema equipment can afford but not audiophile companies with their smaller production runs.
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