FWIW I’m using driver v1.61 in Windows 10 for WASAPI Exclusive mode output from JRiver and have no issues. I’ve also used Foobar2000, Roon and a few other applications and have had no issues whatsoever. The only issues I’ve had I mentioned above but those are not the driver’s fault.
I switched my T+A DAC 8 DSD for the DSJ just because it sounds better. No matter of the support of DSD 512. So don’t bother think to much about it
Sorry if I have asked this before (can’t remember the response), but are there any hardware limitations to implementing DSD256 over the I2S inputs?
Probably no hardware limitations on the DS’s side. We haven’t tested it, but the part’s specs say it should work.
There are a lot of I2S sources that won’t work above about 384kHz: for example a lot of them use a 100MHz clock and divide it to generate the various I2S clocks. When you get to only two, three or four 100MHz clock times for your signals the overall signal quality gets pretty bad. At lower rates the jitter from a 100MHz clock isn’t a problem. The XMOS chip is an example, but with it we would use two, three or four data lines instead of the standard one enabling at least a doubling of the bandwidth at a given clock rate.
I never thought I would even care about DSD256, but I’ve just come across some amazing music which has also been recorded and mastered for extreme fidelity. https://bluecoastmusic.com/hazelrigg-brothers/songs-we-like
The recording of each mic input was done as DSD128. It got mixed with an analog desk and mastered to DSD256. I want to hear the very best version of this, but that seems not to be an option with the DS DAC today.
My normal playback setup maxes out at DSD64 (DoP) or 192kHz PCM. I have to choose between paying $60 for the DSD256 version and doing some kind of local downsampling until maybe I get a way to play it natively in the future, or paying $40 for high res PCM that has probably been well produced. Or going with the half-way compromise and download the DSD128 version for $50 that I can only play by temporarily plugging in a more capable but less convenient player.
Pragmatic me is thinking I’ll just go with the PCM for now, and if the TSS supports DSD256 in some convenient way and I end up buying on of those, another sixty bucks to re-purchase this album clearly wouldn’t break my bank account.
Doesn’t Blue Coast let you download all lower resolutions when you buy? (e.g. Buy 256 and download 256 and 128)
There is a DSD128 option to purchase.
That rings a bell, but there’s no indication of that during my selection/purchase process and even after buying the 192 I can’t download the 16/44.1 PCM.
Yes, I did mention that in my post. I ended up going with 192 because I suspect that’s the best quality option for my current playback chain (Roon -> SqueezeBox Touch -> DAC).
That’s a great EP. Think I have two versions - they both sound great. A good recording is a good recording : ). Love the fact that they cover Zep, “Four Sticks”. Kinda like the Marcin Waselewski Trio cover of Prince’s “Diamonds and Pearls”.
Not sure about Blue Coast, but Native DSD provides free DSD128 and DSD64 is you buy DSD256.
Tascam offers a free Hi-Res Editor that can convert DSD256 to various other formats. I’ve used it to convert DSD256 to 128 for the DS and it seems to work well. My only complaint is that it only allows the conversion of one song file at a time.
Do we know if the TSS might support DSD256?
The TSS hardware is being designed for DSD256 and PS Audio is taking a software path for USB drivers, etc. that will ultimately support DSD256. Tho I’d like DSD256 in USB in the initial release, if the software isn’t ready for DSD256 we won’t hold up the TSS release. The I2S inputs will support DSD256, but many (most?) I2S sources won’t.
I’ve read through this with interest. I’ve started downloading very lovely-sounding 15ips RTR tape transfers from hdtt. Ostensibly they’re not converted to PCM as often (or at all) given that there’s no further editing required. Anyway they have a selection from DSD64/128/256, as well as redbook up to DXD.
I’ve been happily playing DXD, and DSD128. Too early for any critical differentiations but suffice to say both sound great.
I’m thrilled that the DS accepts DXD. If some future fw update allowed it to handle DSD256, then even better (and my Antipodes renderer and reclocker will both pass DSD256). Of course, the real value of these fw updates is the better sound for ALL the redbook and other ‘low-res’ we all play, but playback of these giant files are icing on the cake. : )
(Roon core > EtherRegen > Antipodes EX > CuriousUSB > Antipodes P2 > PSA HDMI > DS)
Ted has said the next update might include DSD256 support.
well then : )