BayStBroker
New member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2015
- Messages
- 292
- Thread Author
- #1
So I have an A+ with DSD512, which is cool because it is like having two dacs. With the front buttom depressed I am DSD only from an FPGA convertor. With the front buttom undepressed I am using R-2R conversion. Sound is very different, though both are very compelling.
Using Audirvana to convert Tidal PCM to DSD on the fly I get more air around instruments, bigger soundstage and sometimes a more authentic timbre'. Frequently it is much better than the R-2R engine. (Sometimes the R-2R exhibits a faster and more detailed - if harder - image; maybe a wider colour gamut.
Anyway I have had the DAC for 3 years now and I've never wanted to change that component of my system.
But I do continue to wonder why converting PCM to DSD on the fly makes for a slightly more analogue sound. I guess the key is the filter. Simple low-pass. Maybe less phase distortion? That it is an improvement in most cases I have no doubt. Wish I knew why! Meanwhile, I think DACs like the Lampi family or, say PS Audio's Directstream line, have a future. They'll sound better than the competition unless or until the competition adopts the practice of converting to DSD before converting to analogue and feeding a good output stage.
Happy listening!
Using Audirvana to convert Tidal PCM to DSD on the fly I get more air around instruments, bigger soundstage and sometimes a more authentic timbre'. Frequently it is much better than the R-2R engine. (Sometimes the R-2R exhibits a faster and more detailed - if harder - image; maybe a wider colour gamut.
Anyway I have had the DAC for 3 years now and I've never wanted to change that component of my system.
But I do continue to wonder why converting PCM to DSD on the fly makes for a slightly more analogue sound. I guess the key is the filter. Simple low-pass. Maybe less phase distortion? That it is an improvement in most cases I have no doubt. Wish I knew why! Meanwhile, I think DACs like the Lampi family or, say PS Audio's Directstream line, have a future. They'll sound better than the competition unless or until the competition adopts the practice of converting to DSD before converting to analogue and feeding a good output stage.
Happy listening!