2. digital
  3. 1105548946

Universal Players that do not convert DSD to PCM?

All
Is there way to definitively tell if a universal player converts DSD (SACD) to PCM before convertion to analog? I am talking about 2 ch Audio output from the player here.

When I talk to retailers about this I usually get a blank stare.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Tim
twclark
dbld
297 posts
 
Unfortunately, emailing the manufacturer does not always give you the correct info.

I emailed Integra with this very question about their DPS 10.5. Their response was that no DSD->PCM conversion occurs. Yet, when investigated further, I learned that the Wolfson DAC used in the DPS 10.5 (or any other DAC Wolfson makes for that matter) is not capable of processing DSD natively (that is...without converting to PCM first).

Again though...jury is out as to if it really makes a difference. Trust your ears...you'll be happier that way.
flye
39 posts
 
Pioneer DV-563A does not convert DSD to PCM when Bass Management is off.
ears
341 posts
 
As an owner of the Onkyo sp 1000..I can honestly say that the pcm conversion makes no difference as this player has the best sa-cd performance I have heard from a 2.5k or less player.
Don't believe the hype imo.

Greg
timpani
40 posts
 
For what it's worth The best starting point is to identify the actual DAC used and to then check the data sheet to see if it supports DSD and PCM. There are cheap universals around such as the Pioneer 563 that use Burr Brown DSD 1791 DACs capable of PCM and DSD. I'm not sure if this offers any real benefits as there are equally very expensive universals that use PCM only DACs, such as the Esoteric DV-50 which use the BB PCM 1730 and an external DSD interface.
twclark OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. As to why care. At a logical level it seems that if you want to evaluate the difference between two formats and assess their quality, it doesn't make much sense to convert one format to the other prior to the comparison.

In my mind it all comes down to the detrimental affects that sampling has on live performance music. It is the same argument used for years on analog verses digital and, yes most folks can here the difference between the two. And most of what they are hearing is due to the sampling nature of digital. Now does DSD sound less sampled and more natural than high res PCM? That's the question but without hearing each without conversion, one never knows.

Thanks again to all.
More to discover