Native DSD versus DoP


How big of a deal should it be to ensure one has true native DSD capabilities in their digital front end?  Case example: I have a Lumin U2 Mini and a Denafrips Pontus 15th (out to McIntosh C53 and MC312, B&W 702 S3, REL t/7x).  I am thrilled with the SQ and I am really enjoying downloaded DSD playback.  I am just curious - would anyone suggest that I can match or beat this SQ with a non-native-DSD-capable DAC?  I mean, for a comparable price?

I play SACDs on an MCT500 to the DA2 in the C53.  Would anyone suggest I can get better SQ running SPDIF to a separate DAC?

P.S. If you think my speakers are a weak link, that's fine.  Assume I upgrade them, does that change your answer?

mattsca

Showing 1 response by mikelavigne

there was a time when optimizing native dsd was significant. 10+ years ago dacs still sounded a bit harsh with PCM. they were just not quiet enough. so ideally we pursued pcm converted to dsd and better yet dsd native files and dacs that kept dsd pure in their playback. dacs had to do all sorts of strong armed things to make PCM listenable.

but that equation somewhat changed when dac technology evolved, noise lowered and finding a musical sounding dac for PCM became reasonable. 

this is not to say that native dsd does not still have their fans. but it’s now more a matter of preference than advantage. the best dacs sound fantastic with either dsd or pcm. and mostly i prefer PCM. i do have 8+ terabytes of dsd files, but rarely choose them unless the music is preferred. and mostly the best current performances and recordings are high rez pcm, so that is what i choose.

i’m referring to recently recorded classical music, which is mostly what i listen to. much more of it is high rez pcm than dsd. music first, then format for me. and i mostly listen to streaming.