@timequest I looked on the Acoustic DSD download page and do not see Pink Floyd Wish you were here. Where is the link to that download? I too want that.
+ 1
+ 1
magister said: . . . hadn't heard of Saracon . . . but for US$1700 I'll stick with foobar
Saracon is made by Weiss Engineering and is a spectacular SRC. It is also available as a hardware product which has been around a good deal longer. The software just came out a couple of years ago.
Weiss makes superb DACs, as well as hardware EQ, de-esser, Pow-R dithring, and SRC for pro audio. Wonderful stuff with prices to match.
@timequest I looked on the Acoustic DSD download page and do not see Pink Floyd Wish you were here. Where is the link to that download? I too want that.
+2 but I suspect Ben was either assuming or hoping that they would make all of their SACDs available as DSD downloads.
Sorry guys… I was referring to the SACD that Acoustic Sounds mastered… I can’t imagine, however, that A/S won’t release this as a DSD download. I was reading that the Pink Floyd management (including, I believe, band members) approved A/S’s rights to remaster their albums because A/S sells more SACDs than any other company… Obviously, money is a motivating factor, and the downloads will sell more albums…
If you convert an SACD to a PCM file, will you retain the same hi-res bit/sample rates?
timequest said: If you convert an SACD to a PCM file, will you retain the same hi-res bit/sample rates?
Yes, SACD DSD is roughly equivalent in resolution to 20 bit/~96k sample rate.
Additionally, as I have pointed out many times before, almost all SACD/DSD files have been converted to PCM for editing, mixing and mastering and converted back to DSD already. You do not do any harm converting it to PCM.
Thanks Elk. I will need to learn about converting DSD to PCM (just so I can hear Wish You Were Here in hi-res!!). What is the most intuitive program to use for the conversion (i.e.: won’t require reading through forums and wiki’s, and asking dumb questions…)?
This is probably Foobar with a DSD plugin. Foobar is pretty straight forward.
timequest said: What is the most intuitive program to use for the conversion (i.e.: won't require reading through forums and wiki's, and asking dumb questions...)?
Foobar (http://foobar2000.org/) +
Link to the SACD decoder: http://sacddecoder.sourceforge.net/
Thanks guys. I am a user of Foobar 2000. I’m not, however, familiar with the DSD plugin… If any of you are familiar with this combination of software and know what the best settings are, please provide me with your recommendations… I’d like to download the “SACD-Plugin” for Foobar, but I haven’t a clue what to do from that point on…!!
You can convert and save DSD files to PCM or convert them on the fly during playback.
If you want Saracon-like results, choose 88kHz sample rate and 30kHz Double precision filter. (After 30kHz there is nothing but noise anyway). The default SACD level is -6dB, so you might want to add some decibels in the PCM volume field (+2-3 can be enough).
If your DAC does not support DSD, choose ASIO Driver mode: PCM.
Thanks Alekz!
Regarding conversion, I understand that I can purchase DSD files and convert them to PCM via programs such as the Foobar SACD plugin… But what about ripping the DSD file from an SACD? I don’t suppose Foobar (with SACD plugin) does that too…?? Do you need a special ripping program? Also would such a program distinguish and read the DSD layer of hybrid SACDs…??
Thank you smart folks!
If you want Saracon-like results, choose 88kHz sample rate and 30kHz Double precision filter ...
With Saracon the result is different from that of Foobar SACD, even with the preset YOu specified. I don't say for sure it's better, or day and night, but it's different (HF extension vs subtlety).
valer_valer said: With Saracon the result is different from that of Foobar SACD . . .
No question. A Toyota does not drive like a Ferrari. :)
timequest said: But what about ripping the DSD file from an SACD?
Unfortunately the only piece of hardware that will do this is is a specific older vintage PS3, with non-upgraded firmware. It will send an unencrypted DSD stream in the clear. Otherwise, we are out of luck.
Elk said: No question. A Toyota does not drive like a Ferrari.
Yeah .. That's Why I Chose Toyota :).
Oil changes are cheaper, too.
Elk said Unfortunately the only piece of hardware that will do this is is a specific older vintage PS3, with non-upgraded firmware. It will send an unencrypted DSD stream in the clear. Otherwise, we are out of luck.
There is an almost endless thread on this in AC, my son owns one but needs the f/w rollback, when he gets his new PStation I plan on buying it. If I understand correctly there is a guy you can send it to that does this. You can read about it here.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/sacd-ripping-using-your-ps3-part-2-a-7495/index57.html
Ah… I thought that might be the case… That’s unfortunate. I guess I won’t be converting my SACDs to PCM after all…
Another option is to run the analog output from your SACD player through a good ADC. 96/24 is more than sufficient.
Thks Elk for that suggestion, had not occurred to me, will try when I get my NPC. I have not heard native DSD but most who have say it’s the best.