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SACD vs DSD Files

Hope I pose my question correctly so that it makes sense.
I have a few SACD’s and used to think that when I was listening to them, I was getting the full sound or benefit of the SACD.
Then I read about I2S connections on PS Audio and how they described hearing the DSD layer on the SACD if you use their equipment.
I also have a few DSD albums that I downloaded and listen to.
So my question is, if I had equipment that could actually decode the DSD Layer on the SACD (similar to PS Audio), would it be pretty much the same experience as listening to the DSD File version of the same SACD?
Hope that makes sense.
Trying to get equipment that could handle that just to play a few SACD’s, would be too pricey for me.
I found a company that rips SACD’s to DSD, that would be a much cheaper way to listen to the DSD version of the CD in my opinion.

What do you all think?
I want to get a better CD transport in the future but not all play SACD.
Thanks

128x128jay73
8 responses Add your response
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,588 posts
 
Both SACDs and DSD files can provide excellent sound.  There might be differences between the way each sounds in your system based on the chain of gear each goes through before it is converted to analog.

The disc spinner or server used to play the discs or files will affect the sound.  Unless you really want to collect SACDs, I'd look into DSD downloads because there are a lot more albums available as downloads than SACDs.

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,588 posts
 
Sound quality will vary from file to file or disc to disc also.  Some excellent, some not so good.
melm
1,076 posts
 
The SACD layer on a hybrid disk is a file in the DSD format.  With a few exceptions (PS Audio, Others??), a disk player will not output the DSD file from an SACD to an external DAC where that file will sound its best. That's because of restrictions placed on the SACD format by Sony, its inventor.

So if you want to play the SACD format file through a good external DAC you have 3 options.  You can buy one of the exceptions, you can buy the DSD file from an on-line seller, or you can rip the DSD file off of an SACD and play it on a DAC that will accept it.  Most, but not all, will.  You can rip it yourself, or pay someone to do it.  All of these have the same sound potential, varying only by the quality of the equipment used.

Many, many audiophiles do the ripping themselves.
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Thanks for the all the feedback.
@melm, do you have any suggestions on how to do the ripping?
From what I have researched, it involves getting a 1st gen ps3 I believe but I wonder if there are any other methods?
As I stated earlier, I did find a company that does it also.
Thanks
melm
1,076 posts
 
Have a look here.  Then you might want to do a Google search to see what other players will work.  I have done it with an Oppo, and after set-up it's very easy.  I am not a tech.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-93-minidsp-ripping-sacds-page-2
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,588 posts
 
Here is a thread that includes a list of players that can rip SACDs:

https://hifihaven.org/index.php?threads/rip-sacd-with-a-blu-ray-player.3652/

It is not an easy process if you are not computer knowledgeable.  Good Luck!
stigmater
1 posts
 

I can share that after extracting DSD file from SACD iso and burn it on DVD and compare to original SACD in my player , for sure original SACD plays better. 
And it despite some forums where I read that DSD extracted from original CD should sound identical. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jazzman7
347 posts
 

+1 to the thread at hifihaven ... that is where I gleaned the information to rip SACD’s. There is also an excellent article in PS Audio’s Copper Magazine, which is free to download over at PS Audio’s site. hifihaven has a list of vintage BluRay  players capable of use for ripping SACD’s. Most of these players can be had on ebay for $20 to $40.

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