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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
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,589 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
2,589 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.
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