Yes its very difficult gathering the info. I have bits and peices. My primary source is vinyl then streaming using Tidal and a NAD M10 integrated amp. I wanted to add a source that could play DSD files hopefully using / extracting DSD from Hybrid SACD’s. The idea was to use my Sony UBP-X700U universal player with an HDMI out through a HDMI to I2S/IIS Audio Extractor Digital Interface Converter w/ Optical & Coaxial ( see photo) then I need a DAC that has a varible HDMI pinout… At that moment my head exploded and I gave up. I dont know what size DSD will be on the SACD and I dont know how to find a DAC that has the pinout and accepts whatever DSD that comes out from the SACD. Do you know of any other Forum that I might post this question to ? Thanks in advance…
Yes, you can rip SACD’s from a sony DVD player. You can go on line to find out how. All you can get from SACD’s are native 1 bit 64. To get higher rate files like 1 bit 512, you will have to get that elsewhere, like from a friend or just purchase it on line Then you will have to get a Dac that can handle the higher rates, something like the new PS Audio PMG 512 Dac.
Ok thanks. That helps. I did not even now that about SACD’s. I understand buying music from sources like Octave records but what hardware other than a DAC would I need? Its that basic info that I am trying to learn. I am guessing you use your computer then send that through a DAC before sending to your exisiting stereo. I am on a MAC so that seems to be another hurdle. I am looking for a knowledge base and I can not seem to find it. Thanks
Yes, you can use a computer, but you will also have to buy a app, like roon or JRiver to manage your files and send it to your Dac. With the PS Audio 512 Dac, it also comes with a built-in streamer that can play your 512 files and a volume control, so you won’t need a preamp either, so forget about a computer, which really compromises the sound quality compared to a streamer. You will still need an app like roon or I’m not sure if the 512 comes with a free one, you will have to check on that.
Ok thanks… I think I figured it out… Roon should work
Welcome Richard.
Just further to what Clifton has written and regarding DSD extraction from SACDs. You may have already discovered this but the ‘HDMI’ connector on players such as yours does not natively output the DSD bitstream. I have no experience with the conversion method you’ve described but there is another indirect way to extract the DSD from an SACD. It requires a certain older model of Blu-ray disc player. Yours may be one of them but you can look at the process involved by reading an old PS Audio Copper magazine article here. It’s a fiddly process but, briefly, you ‘persuade’ the BD player to take the decrypted DSD layer from the SACD and output it to the player’s ethernet or wireless connection and thence to a file on a network attached device. You can then copy the ‘.dsf’ (DSD) file to your Roon-accessible storage.
Wow ! Thanks ! I’ve never done anything near this complicated… I see why its not more popular. Its amazing the author is sharing all this hard urned information and I thank you so much for sharing it with me! If I try it I will post my experience. Thanks again !
PS; I just purchased a Sony BX510 ( what the author used) used online; 60 bucks !
Be realistic, DSD isn’t the be all to end all. The signal is STILL going through FILTERS with critical damping at different places. The end result is largely how well you like the sound of the filters be it PCM or DSD. Also, the DSP, like what is in the JRiver 34 software, used to convert WAV, AIFF and the like to DSD512 have a sound too. Don’t neglect to listen to each signal path and see what’s best with your equipment. Most DAC’s have a few filters to try. DSD can have advantages BUT, the filters can outweigh those overall. Your ears will know. The impact of filters isn’t a secret science, either. It is well understood and why they sound the way they do. The secret is if your vendor provides the information. When you get to DSD512, you don’t have to stay there!
Galen
EXAMPLES from my T+A SD3100 HV DAC.
Thank you so much for your time ! What is your favorite source for playing music? Do you know where it is possible to hear a DSD set up? ( other than your home lol!)
I’m just curious and up for a challenge. My primary source is Vinyl for when I actually sit down and listen to music. My secondary is streaming through Tidal while I’m cooking or doing chores around the house. I listen to Jazz, classical and Rock. I love this hobby. Thanks again…
As far as sources, I also use VINYL that has a really dynamic and rich sound. Why so dynamic? I don’t know as digital can far exceed it and toss your woofers out on the floor if it wants to. Many, many early sources are bass shy, too. Adjust your 70’s and 80’s stuff for bass and the newer digital sources will attack you and everyone in the house!
I also use Qobuz as native PCM to my DAC (still need to select the filter!). JRiver can DSP upsample PCM to DSD512. I find too much DSP hurts more than helps so I stick to what the SOURCE is NATIVE.
As you can see above, the SOUND of the plyback filters is different and ALSO, the sound of the encoding filters used to make the digital SOURCE are baked-in, too. You only get to choose the playback filters unless you use DSP, and pick the upsample properties, to upsample PCM to DSD, and pick that plyback filter so a lot to consider when you try to say what it sounds like. I’d say 50% of my native PCM or DSD can swap fidelity for these reason.
All our records have the same issue based on the lable and analog front-end so this digital variation isn’t a new “problem" but just the way it all is.
Best, Galen
Thanks Galen! I’ld say you have a few years on me in terms of the learning curve. I appreciate the community of folks who have one thing in common which is to enjoy music; and their willingness to help and not judge folks who are eraly on their journey. I was a commercial photographer all my adult life and early on I learned that it was “Not the gear” that made me a good photographer; however I did have to but a Hasselblad !