High resolution digital is dead. The best DAC's killed it.

@orpheus10

The difference in sound quality, if any, is going to be highly gear dependent.

However, converting FLAC and ALAC to WAV is super easy, and bit perfect.

Best,

E

@gosta  

All local files and streams including Tidal, etc. are first converted to DSD 512 on my server PC before heading to my Windows 10 streamer and finally through the DAC 8 DSD chipless converter.  As long as you have server horsepower, you can even use DSP while doing this, which is fantastic to tame a bass mode or to use as a balance control.

The PCM side of the DAC is ok, but once you hear DSD 512 there's no going back.  There's more texture, better tone, soundstage expands in every direction, imaging is more precise AND has more density (that is the hardest trick to pull off IMO).  It really is something.

I think digital has sounded great for a long time.  Loved my system way back when I used to use my Meridian 508.20 CDP.  Still sounds great using a benchmark DAC and streaming.

I’m just starting to learn this now. My new MHDT Orchid sounds amazing streaming Redbook.