• Registered: 2023-02-03
  • Posts: 1

Topic: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

Please, can someone help a newbie by answering my basic questions -or- provide a URL to answers I need?  Your help is greatly appreciated.

I want to use my ADI-2 DAC to play DSD downloads but do not understand. I have no DSD files yet and want to make sure my web download purchases will be compatible with my DAC’s capabilities.  My DAC has a “B” on its sticker so it (presumably) includes the AK4493 chip.  From the owner’s manual, I understand the DAC supports “DSD over PCM (DoP)”—BUT I do not find websites selling DSD downloads that specifically mention DoP. 
I have done some reading and have seen file extensions mentioned including .DSF—What must I see to be sure I will be receiving a file my DAC can decode?  Or what websites are you sure sell compatible files?

Also, the owner manual seems to be saying that DoP can be provided into my ADI-2 DAC over either USB input or Coax input.  Is that true?

I will use a 2023 Mac Mini so what software will be able to “play” or send compatible files to my DAC?

Thanks for help on these 3 gaps in my understanding.
Warren

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,558

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

The DAC does not "decode" files, the playback software does. The manual lists some compatible software, Google finds a player named Colibri that also lists RME converters as compatible.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2020-10-05
  • Posts: 287

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

https://colibri-lossless.com/test/

ADI2, Digiface, ARC
  • Registered: 2020-06-20
  • Posts: 143

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

knauer.warren wrote:

Please, can someone help a newbie by answering my basic questions -or- provide a URL to answers I need?  Your help is greatly appreciated.

I want to use my ADI-2 DAC to play DSD downloads but do not understand. I have no DSD files yet and want to make sure my web download purchases will be compatible with my DAC’s capabilities.  My DAC has a “B” on its sticker so it (presumably) includes the AK4493 chip.  From the owner’s manual, I understand the DAC supports “DSD over PCM (DoP)”—BUT I do not find websites selling DSD downloads that specifically mention DoP. 
I have done some reading and have seen file extensions mentioned including .DSF—What must I see to be sure I will be receiving a file my DAC can decode?  Or what websites are you sure sell compatible files?

Also, the owner manual seems to be saying that DoP can be provided into my ADI-2 DAC over either USB input or Coax input.  Is that true?

I will use a 2023 Mac Mini so what software will be able to “play” or send compatible files to my DAC?

Thanks for help on these 3 gaps in my understanding.
Warren


Your dac will play dsd  direct mode.
It will play dsd 64 over coax and optical. Usb Dsd256.
There’s lots of dsd albums, but most were originally pcm. You gain nothing.

I have around 3000 dsd albums  50% are pcm to dsd. Pure dsd recordings are usually jazz and classical.
Pure dsd albums sound very good,   Is dsd worth it ? Classical yes otherwise I wouldn’t bother

  • From: Milan, Italy
  • Registered: 2012-02-19
  • Posts: 188

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

terrys999 wrote:

I have around 3000 dsd albums  50% are pcm to dsd. Pure dsd recordings are usually jazz and classical.
Pure dsd albums sound very good,   Is dsd worth it ? Classical yes otherwise I wouldn’t bother

Could you recommend some "pure" DSD albums that you love, that you think really show off the sound quality? I've never tried any, but now I have the ADI-2/4 I'd like to experiment with playing back DSD.

https://musicwall.app/hermetech

Babaluma's Website

  • Registered: 2020-06-20
  • Posts: 143

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

Babaluma wrote:
terrys999 wrote:

I have around 3000 dsd albums  50% are pcm to dsd. Pure dsd recordings are usually jazz and classical.
Pure dsd albums sound very good,   Is dsd worth it ? Classical yes otherwise I wouldn’t bother

Could you recommend some "pure" DSD albums that you love, that you think really show off the sound quality? I've never tried any, but now I have the ADI-2/4 I'd like to experiment with playing back DSD.

Diana Karl. Norah Jones. Patricia barber. Steely Dan.
There’s a lot tha show off dsd . These are a few. Just looked and I have around 1000 mixed artist albums.   And 2000 classic.  These are all sacd ISO’s 
All of the living stereo albums  are anologue to dsd , no pcm there.

Pentatone mostly pcm to dsd.  My bis albums are pure dsd i thinks.

I don’t really listen to classical.

  • From: Milan, Italy
  • Registered: 2012-02-19
  • Posts: 188

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

terrys999 wrote:
Babaluma wrote:
terrys999 wrote:

I have around 3000 dsd albums  50% are pcm to dsd. Pure dsd recordings are usually jazz and classical.
Pure dsd albums sound very good,   Is dsd worth it ? Classical yes otherwise I wouldn’t bother

Could you recommend some "pure" DSD albums that you love, that you think really show off the sound quality? I've never tried any, but now I have the ADI-2/4 I'd like to experiment with playing back DSD.

Diana Karl. Norah Jones. Patricia barber. Steely Dan.
There’s a lot tha show off dsd . These are a few. Just looked and I have around 1000 mixed artist albums.   And 2000 classic.  These are all sacd ISO’s 
All of the living stereo albums  are anologue to dsd , no pcm there.

Pentatone mostly pcm to dsd.  My bis albums are pure dsd i thinks.

I don’t really listen to classical.

Thank you, I love Norah Jones and already own some of her albums in three different formats so would be good to compare. Where do you recommend to buy them as legal downloads? I don't own a SACD player. Qobuz, HDTracks? Or are there websites specialising in DSD downloads?

https://musicwall.app/hermetech

Babaluma's Website

  • Registered: 2020-06-20
  • Posts: 143

Re: HOW TO? DSD file requirements and playback (3 questions)

Babaluma wrote:
terrys999 wrote:
Babaluma wrote:

Could you recommend some "pure" DSD albums that you love, that you think really show off the sound quality? I've never tried any, but now I have the ADI-2/4 I'd like to experiment with playing back DSD.

Diana Karl. Norah Jones. Patricia barber. Steely Dan.
There’s a lot tha show off dsd . These are a few. Just looked and I have around 1000 mixed artist albums.   And 2000 classic.  These are all sacd ISO’s 
All of the living stereo albums  are anologue to dsd , no pcm there.

Pentatone mostly pcm to dsd.  My bis albums are pure dsd i thinks.

I don’t really listen to classical.

sent you an email!!

Thank you, I love Norah Jones and already own some of her albums in three different formats so would be good to compare. Where do you recommend to buy them as legal downloads? I don't own a SACD player. Qobuz, HDTracks? Or are there websites specialising in DSD downloads?