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Post by MartinT on May 29, 2019 5:58:58 GMT
Here's an interesting article on a direct DSD versus PCM comparison of the same album. I've done this in the past, albeit not using the same components since I have the Steely Dan SACD (DSD) and compared it with the hi-res PCM stream from Qobuz. I no longer have the ability to play that SACD but I do agree with the article's general findings, that DSD is softer sounding and better creates depth, air and space (sounding more vinyl-like), but that PCM is more dynamic and has tighter timing with more transient impact in the music. It's very generalised, of course, and different systems will do them differently. With some DACs, like the PS Audio DirectStream, you are listening to DSD whatever the source as it converts everything to DSD before decoding to analogue. There are far fewer DSD files available and I'm not aware of any DSD streaming services. What are others' feelings about the digital format and do you care? |
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Post by John on May 29, 2019 6:37:00 GMT
I am not sure if I care anymore
A part of me will always appreciate getting better quality sound. However I really like what my system is now doing and the access I have to music.
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Post by ChrisB on May 29, 2019 6:42:02 GMT
I've never paid a premium for a recording on a 'better format'.
It's enough for me to own the music.
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Post by MartinT on May 29, 2019 7:03:53 GMT
Interesting take, Chris.
I have no interest in 'owning' the music, just playing it.
I do pay a premium for hi-res, but even standard red book sounds amazingly good.
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Post by John on May 29, 2019 7:27:54 GMT
On a different tangent I would be happy to pay a bit more for my streaming if the increase went directly to the artist
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Post by petea on May 29, 2019 7:36:14 GMT
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Post by MartinT on May 29, 2019 8:53:23 GMT
Interesting. It doesn't mention Qobuz. YouTube royalties are astonishingly low.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2019 6:47:14 GMT
I tried to care about DSD, but I just don’t; I think well recorded and mastered music sounds good on pcm. I’ll pay for high res but not DSD.
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Post by SteveC on May 30, 2019 9:49:53 GMT
I find myself agreeing with Martin in his assessment of the relative virtues of each format.
The dCS Vivaldi Upsampler allows me to choose whether to listen to a Red Book CD at 16/44.1 or to upsample in increments all the way up to 352.8KHz.
Alternatively, I can upsample the same Red Book CD to DSD or 2XDSD.
My preference is for PCM. Sometimes leaving it at 16/44.1 and other times, upsampling in strict multiples (88.2, 176.4).
Playing an SACD disc simply bypasses the Upsampler and gives the option of replaying in DSD or 2XDSD.
Streaming presents different options still, with the Upsampler switching to whatever the particular media was recorded in. I have some Hi-Rez downloads which are DXD and a few DVD-Audio discs that I ripped to my server and recorded at 24/96 or higher.
It's probably good to have the choice or it could be the path to madness!
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2019 10:24:57 GMT
I have to admit I e never followed the upsampling in multiples rule; everything I listen to is up/down sampled to 24/192 to avoid sample switching noises from my dac.
I did this in ignorance of this audiophile rule and haven’t suffered 😉
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2019 11:54:59 GMT
I have a multitude of sampling and reconstruction filters, oddly enough the sample rate stays native to each track
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Post by Slinger on May 30, 2019 13:35:39 GMT
I have Volumio set to retain the native bit-depth of tracks but I'm upsampling to 176.4, simply because after a bit of buggering about my ears told me it was the best compromise.
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