Post by joster June 13, 2011 (1 of 8)
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Hi all,
I have been reading as much as I could about DSD playback through two-channel (stereo) only and with analog output (XLR), and I came across a couple of comments on SA-CD.net Forum that gave me some hope.
I am feeling that I am not using the real essence of the SACD, that is, the DSD format with my combo - Sony's SCD-XA5400ES player and Esoteric AI-10 Digital Integrated Amplifier (http://esoteric.teac.com/amplifiers_&_preamps/ai-10/), as I cannot stream DSD through a digital connection. I am using the balance analog output (XLR) when playing SACD, as the two digital connections (coaxial and optical) are useless for DSD streaming.
My question is: Does the XA5400ES converts the DSD signal to an analog signal (PCM/LPCM) at the very best resolution? Is it still good way to play SACD discs? Or am I losing something for not using the full potential of the DSD format? Is there any equipment I can add to my system to get unaltered DSD formal to the amplifier?
P.S.: I has aware that the best complement to the XA5400ES player was a Sony receiver with HDMI and H.A.T.S. like the SCD-DA6400ES (USA) or the SCD-DA5400ES (Europe, where I leave). Yet, this last model has been discontinued and almost impossible to get by now (I have just arrived too late...). So, after more than I month "chasing" for the SCD-DA5400ES, online or through retailers (I even placed some orders that invariably wouldn't be confirmed), I just gave up, specially when I had the chance to get a very good price for the Esoteric AI-10 amplifier. I may have took a stupid buying decision. Anyway, now I have to leave with it...
Thank in advance for your comments.
--
Joster
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It is not" may" convert to PCM , the Sony Str-DA5400ES AVR receiver does convert to pcm. From Sony UK (2009) The DA5400ES uses the the full resolution of the DSD signal (32 bit) from input filtering through to processing the signal, then and only then does the amplifier at the final stage convert to PCM. This way you you can ensure the full resolution of the DSD signal can be fully utilised. However Tim Vine Lott Technical director Air Studios (Pioneer voicing) told me this statement is blatantly misleading. HFN & RR says , Sony claims to maintain the high dynamic range of SACD (at bass/midrange rather than high frequencies) by decimating the 1-bit/2.28244 MHz DSD to 30 bit/176.4 kHz LPCM before D/A conversion.. If nothing else, the downsampling is necessary because most numeric DSP (soundfield modes etc.) will only operate on LPCM.
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Post by mbash June 13, 2011 (3 of 8)
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Hi Joster,
If you still want to go multi channel, the Sony STR-DA5500ES is still available, in Germany at least. http://www.h-online.com/priceinsight/de/a467384.html#ang
I bought mine at an Australian auction site well after Sony stopped selling them here.
I actually bought my SCD-XA5400ES from h-online in Germany too.
HATS and DSD rules!
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Post by EmNat June 15, 2011 (4 of 8)
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Hi Maurice,
What store from h-online did you purchase your SCD-XA5400ES?
Thanks
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Post by mbash June 15, 2011 (5 of 8)
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It was Digimas, but I would'nt recommend them, they messed me around.
But I didn't care that much, I wanted it so bad! Perhaps I'm being a little bit harsh on them, I don't think they had sold international before. It's a bit of a lottery. I think it's important they speak English or at least understand it. Or you speak German.
Sound out the other two. Get a feel about how much they want to sell to someone on the other side of the world. Good luck.
Maurice
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Post by EmNat June 15, 2011 (6 of 8)
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Hi Maurice,
Thanks for the information.
I received a reply from Digimas and they quoted 250EUR for shipping to Sydney.
I'm waiting for dnet24.net to confirm if they ship this player to Sydney. They charge only 40EUR for shipping.
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I'm gonna try posting this question, here as well, since this is a "fresher" thread:
Does anyone know, how the scd-xa5400es converts plain redbook CDs to analog? I have read a rather confusing white paper on the matter, which describes a convertion to a 1 bit bitsream first (something like PCM->DSD) and then using the same DAC both for PCM and DSD. I also had a look at the service manual and it appears that the PCM signal path disappears pretty soon in the schematic, after having been fed to a custom chip named CXD9927R.
Does this mean that the player first converts PCM to DSD and then to analog?
Also, the white paper describes the usage of a multi-level DAC, like the scd-xa9000es had. Where would this be located? Certainly not on the DSD1796. Maybe on the CXD9927R?
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mbash said:
If you still want to go multi channel, the Sony STR-DA5500ES is still available, in Germany at least.
By now there's also a STR-DA5600ES (2010) and STR-DA5700ES (2011).
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