I can play DSD 256 to my Directstream now via the I2S. I would imagine DSD 256 files from the Airlens would work the same way. The Directstream would need Sunlight for 256.
Thanks then I remembered correctly. It will be interesting if the advantages of DSD256 will be present although that’s not the recommended sample rate for the PSA DAC’s.
You are correct on the price. It’s not 8.99 it’s $26 but you get DSD 256, 128, and 64. DXD 352 and PCM 192/24 96/24 44/16. HDTT also has lots of sales and ways to save. I have Waltz for Debby DSD 256 and it’s terrific especially the title track!
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I believe Ted said the sweet spot is in between DSD128 and DSD 256. I have also done many comparisons with DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256. There are subtle differences between them. DSD128 is slightly more detailed than DSD64 and DSD 256 edges out DSD128 in resolution. I must emphasize the differences are very small. If you don’t compare them, they are all great sounding formats.
Thanks! I though so as well (but never tried). It sounds a bit different in Paul”s description how much better DSD256 sounds…and regarding the sweet spot, you’re right, between 128 and 256, but the result was, that then 128 should be the better choice for Ted’s DAC’s. He might correct if wrong.
How much better DSD256 will sound would depend on how resolving your system is. Some people’s system, they can hear fuses, component supports, and tuning devises will definitely hear more differences. Also take into account how sensitive your hearing and how good the mastering of the recording is.
You can like @vkennedy61 suggests, go to HDTT, buy one new album, and get all the different formats including DSD256 and do some comparisons yourself. Then you’ll know if DSD256 works for you.
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What I mainly meant is: if on the DS, DSD256 has disadvantages due to the sweet spot topic on those DAC‘s, we will struggle to find out the usual differences between DSD128 and DSD256, as then DSD128 might always sound better on the DS although on other DAC‘s DSD256 might sound better.
To fully find out, we’d have to compare formats on the DS and another DAC in parallel.
The same imo is valid for comparing PCM with DSD, as the DS converts everything to DSD.
Usually I don’t care about those formats, but I’m still interested if a comparison makes sense at all on the DS.
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@vkennedy61 I can’t tell if this guy HDTT Waltz for Debbie was mastered in DSD 256. Do you know? If not, I don’t see the point of downloading any higher bit rate than the mastering but rate. Thanks!
My first experience w 256 thanks to a sample passed onto me.
Impressions comparing to 64. Background seemed quieter. Instruments took on a more varied loudness w 256. Things were less in your face w 256. Thumbs up on this Count Basie sample - a great recording in DSD64 still. But the 256 imho made gave it just a little more quietness w a little more dimension.
Thanks to one of our revered members for this -AA!
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I believe they are mastered off of the master tapes to the chosen format. DSD, DXD, PCM
Ok never mind. I had to read a whole blog to find out that they now master in DSD 256.
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Hi Al,
I had a chance to do the comparison of the DSD64 vs. DSD256 samples. For me it was tough but if I really concentrated, I could hear the decay and sustain of the piano on Count Basie’s ‘Tally Ho’ and ‘Count’s Place’ differently. I’m not a musical expert have no trained ear but there was a slight difference.
Around 57 seconds into the ‘Count’s Place’ track, you can hear talking in the background and it sounded the same with both cuts.
Thanks for the experiment!
Rob
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Rob. I’m curious to your food chain my setup is pretty simple.
Jriver matrix DS sr wireworld eclipse xlr sunfire signature amp wireworld eclipse cables magnepan 20.7.
Hi Timm, I’m Aurender N100H, Matrix DDC, DS Sr., XLR to McIntosh C48 preamp, XLR to McIntosh MC500, to Celestion Ditton 66 reference monitors. The only fancy cables I have are for my speakers and they were a gift from my brother. I’m a HAM radio operator and my speakers don’t buzz anymore when I transmit UHF so I know they serve some good purpose in my life 
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Glad to be of service guys!
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For over a year, I have been considering converting my flac files to aiff or even DSD after purchasing a NAS, However, I have been spending more time listening to streaming. Result, I have lost interest in storing files in any fashion.
Looking ahead, I wonder what is being developed by Qobuz, Roon and other stream providers.
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Received my Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 today. It works great. I have the PS Audio Directstream DAC. Unplugged the USB wire from the DAC and plugged it into the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 Then I attached the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 to the PS Audio Directstream using the I2S ports. Works great. Now getting DSD 256 output on my system. Great product.
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You know, it’s funny that we’re going through all this debate on DSD256 and how to play it for the best sound, when very few labels even provide SACDs or DSD64 downloads, let alone DSD256!
I mostly listen to classical (and some jazz) and precious few provide DSD. Off the top of my head, I can think of Channel Classics, Reference, Pentatone, 2xHD, HDTT and a few specialists like LSO Live, etc.
There are very few titles available. Just look at nativedsd.com. And if you’re looking for DSD mastered titles and only DSD in the production chain, well good luck.
So unless I want to buy specialist gear just to support Octave Records and its DSD256 mastering,…
Don’t get me wrong. I love DSD and own the PST, DS DAC and the exasound e88 DAC for multi channel DSD. So I have a large investment in its success.
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So far every new DSD 256 I have bought have been very impressive! I don’t know if they upsample it or remastered it, it doesn’t matter, only the sound matters. It also doesn’t matter if I have a lower rate format of the same music because the music of the higher rate format sounds much better and sounds new to me anyway. It’s like I was getting 45rpm of 33rpm records I already have. I didn’t care because I enjoy the 45rpm’s so much more. I hope Paul goes through with this DSD 256 thing. I definitely am interested.
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