It would be an interesting experiment. If I had one available I certainly would play with it but I don't believe it is worth spending $500 just to experiment...
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Considering adding DSD... please help
- Thread starter Randy Myers
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There is a 60 day money back guarantee
Sound Liaison and 2L Norway have some good same source comparison files;
http://www.soundliaison.com/ (the coupon code is; ifimicroidac2)
http://www.2l.no/hires/[/URL]
http://www.soundliaison.com/ (the coupon code is; ifimicroidac2)
http://www.2l.no/hires/[/URL]
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Randy Myers
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- Thread Author
- #24
Ok, I have been doing some serious back and forth listening and finally believe, that any difference I was hearing was an anomaly and that there is no improvements ripping to DSD and then down converting the file back to 192 kHz for playback.
Also when doing a ton of research on this subject it has become apparent that all DSD files have traveled through a PCM stage at one point or another. No mastering edits can be done on a DSD file.
The more and more I read the more it has become evident that DSD "could" be better, but in it's current format it is not. If everything was recorded from the very get go in DSD, and keep in DSD throughout the chain than it would be better. However every commercially available recording has gone through transition to and from PCM throughout it's life. Every step adds distortion, period.
So this is my discovery process, take it as you will. After all the research it is apparent that PCM 192 kHz is the highest sound quality format available for any commercially available music. DSD64 is equivalent to 96 kHz in SQ and in scientific specifications (sorry I can't explain the reasoning but I did find this is several locations). Since any DSD file that you can download has gone back and forth through PCM conversions throughout it's life, and each stage adds distortion, the PCM file has to be better!
So what started this all off, the desire to find out if a DSD DAC would be an improvement. Every single bit of research says no. Since my McIntosh has PCM 196 kHz built in through a USB input, and a pretty decent DAC at that, there appears to be no reason of adding a DSD
....
Also when doing a ton of research on this subject it has become apparent that all DSD files have traveled through a PCM stage at one point or another. No mastering edits can be done on a DSD file.
The more and more I read the more it has become evident that DSD "could" be better, but in it's current format it is not. If everything was recorded from the very get go in DSD, and keep in DSD throughout the chain than it would be better. However every commercially available recording has gone through transition to and from PCM throughout it's life. Every step adds distortion, period.
So this is my discovery process, take it as you will. After all the research it is apparent that PCM 192 kHz is the highest sound quality format available for any commercially available music. DSD64 is equivalent to 96 kHz in SQ and in scientific specifications (sorry I can't explain the reasoning but I did find this is several locations). Since any DSD file that you can download has gone back and forth through PCM conversions throughout it's life, and each stage adds distortion, the PCM file has to be better!
So what started this all off, the desire to find out if a DSD DAC would be an improvement. Every single bit of research says no. Since my McIntosh has PCM 196 kHz built in through a USB input, and a pretty decent DAC at that, there appears to be no reason of adding a DSD
....Ok, I have been doing some serious back and forth listening and finally believe, that any difference I was hearing was an anomaly and that there is no improvements ripping to DSD and then down converting the file back to 192 kHz for playback.
Also when doing a ton of research on this subject it has become apparent that all DSD files have traveled through a PCM stage at one point or another. No mastering edits can be done on a DSD file.
The more and more I read the more it has become evident that DSD "could" be better, but in it's current format it is not. If everything was recorded from the very get go in DSD, and keep in DSD throughout the chain than it would be better. However every commercially available recording has gone through transition to and from PCM throughout it's life. Every step adds distortion, period.
So this is my discovery process, take it as you will. After all the research it is apparent that PCM 192 kHz is the highest sound quality format available for any commercially available music. DSD64 is equivalent to 96 kHz in SQ and in scientific specifications (sorry I can't explain the reasoning but I did find this is several locations). Since any DSD file that you can download has gone back and forth through PCM conversions throughout it's life, and each stage adds distortion, the PCM file has to be better!
So what started this all off, the desire to find out if a DSD DAC would be an improvement. Every single bit of research says no. Since my McIntosh has PCM 196 kHz built in through a USB input, and a pretty decent DAC at that, there appears to be no reason of adding a DSD
I came to the same conclusion nearly two years ago, after exhaustive research of all that was written. But my ears did not agree with what my eyes had read, and my mind determined. My logic was over-ruled, upon experiencing some DSD downloads I purchased.
I still do not claim that DSD is ultimately better. But the DSD music that is available, consistently sounds better then redbook and hi-rez....IMO. Maybe they take better care in the recording process, knowing that audiophiles will flock to an extraordinary effort. But my ears cannot deny the quality difference in many cases. Redbook can be as good I believe, if extra care is taken in the recording process. But I refuse to pass on some of the fabulous recordings available on DSD. But if you enjoy your system in its current form, kick back and relax. Chasing audio nirvana can get crazy. Fifty years of loving music has taught me to gather information with my eyes, but make purchase through my ears. Just my two cents.....
Randy Myers
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #26
Excellent post! I believe ultimately you are correct. I am also going to make some assumptions here. I assume that you are probably a fan of classical, jazz, or some other type of music where they might take the time to get the audiophile recordings.
I am more of a pop, classic rock, folk rock folk music fan... Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Alan Parsons, Shawn Phillips, etc. Although there are some fine recordings, I believe that there are probably not DSD level recordings here. Have you ever experience any of this type of music where there was an honest improvement in DSD?
Randy Myers
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #27
Do I take it from your disclosure that you sell equipment?
Theese are exactly the artistes found on SACD that get ripped to DSD. If you dont here a difference, it could be your equipment chain. Its pretty easy to hear.
You also have it backwards…it is nigh IMPOSSIBLE to find 100% PCM with no delta sigma in the mix. There are about 1700 albums recored in pure DSD and about another 2,000 coming straight from analog.
He (Asuify) sells very expensive gear, so his recommendation to try the ifi does not appear to have any conflict of interest. He is merely telling you to dip your toe in the water…its nice and warm.
Do, or dont do…there is no "try" - Master Yoda.
Do, or dont do…there is no "try" - Master Yoda.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #30
I was not questioning the motive. I was asking basically to see if he was a dealer for the unit .
I have never had the opportunity to hear the difference of true DSD or not. I do hear a huge difference going from the standard CD, Redbook if you will to a HD download in either 96 kHz or 192 kHz PCM.
The readings that I have done is where what I wrote came from, not from personal experience. As i said, from what I have read about DSD, not what I have experienced.
I believe my McIntosh does a good solid job on PCM. I do not have DSD capacity. BTW- I do have two Alan Parsons Project albums in DSD since neither appeared to be available in PCM, but I did want an HD version of both!
.I have never had the opportunity to hear the difference of true DSD or not. I do hear a huge difference going from the standard CD, Redbook if you will to a HD download in either 96 kHz or 192 kHz PCM.
The readings that I have done is where what I wrote came from, not from personal experience. As i said, from what I have read about DSD, not what I have experienced.
I believe my McIntosh does a good solid job on PCM. I do not have DSD capacity. BTW- I do have two Alan Parsons Project albums in DSD since neither appeared to be available in PCM, but I did want an HD version of both!