Anyone Listening to DSD files?

It is a moot point. DSD content only exists in the audiophile fringes. Why every manufacturer seems to rush into DSD enabling their hardware baffles me. May be they figure the content will follow the hardware. If history is any guidance, it won't happen. I am not aware of any major label with imminent plans to release their catalogue on DSD. Meanwhile 96/24 and 192/24 PCM is alive and well.

Having said that. I just downloaded the channel classic free DSD and high rez PCM files to do an apples to apples comparison for myself. Hopefully will get around to it this evening.

The "Friday Night in San Fransisco" DSD SACD rip was distincly better than the 96/24 PCM download on my MSB DAC.

If you have a DSD DAC and are interested in comparing the SQ of DSD and PCM, you can download some sample tracks from the link below. It has three songs with tracks in 24/96 PCM, 24/192 PCM, and DSD formats.

You will need to register to get to the download but I think it is worth the trouble.

http://designwsound.com/dwsblog/recordings/audiophile-jazz-prologue-3-free-hi-res-samples/

I have both a Chord QuteHD and Playback Designs MPD-3 and via DSD they both easily best any PCM DAC I have heard - and believe me I have heard a few.

Just as an example I was with the maker of my beloved PDX DAC and we did a comparison of the Chord without the benefit even of an upgraded power supply which improved things. DSD of Harry Belafonte - Sylvie was easily better than the same track through the PDX - even the maker agreed - which sent him off investigating how to lift the PDX - with some success I might add - but exactly how it fares to the Chord or PD remains to be seen.

DSD IMHO is the way of the future for audiophiles - its simply better.

Thanks
Bill

See:
www.stereophile.com/content/news-flash-oppo-now-plays-dsd-files

DSD does tend to sound best from my Mytek DAC. But, I've not had too many (any?) opportunities to compare the same recording in both DSD and high res PCM where I could be certain that one wasn't just converted from the other.

The other night I compared "Like Minds" in 88/24 PCM from HDTracks to the DSD ripped directly from the SACD. The levels were nearly evenly matched, which made the comparison easy to do. The DSD was fuller sounding, with richer tones, and greater dimensionality. But it was very likely the case where the HDTracks version was converted from DSD - so not really a fair comparison of DSD to PCM.

I think ideally one should have the capability to play both DSD and PCM as music tends to be available on one format and not the other. Also something is lost when converting DSD to PCM, so it's best to play DSD natively.

Nsirkin,

How would you compare the Teac vs the Mytek on PCM files? Thanks.

Boisty

The new TEAC at $850 will play 2.8 and 5.6 MHZ DSD files and that is a great way to check it out. I have the TEAC and Mytek and do think DSD sounds much better. Not a lot of material though and finding an old PS3 to do rips is about impossible.

OPS3 and Channel Classics have downloads.