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SACD is VERY confusing

Seems there are thousands of folks out there buying and playing SACDs using coax or optical from a player to a DAC and thinking they are listening to the SACD layer and they are listening to the CD layer. I was assured the Denon DVD-2910,3910,5910 would play SACD through the digital outputs but on the back of the units they clearly state PMC from the digital outputs.....Seems the ONLY way to truly play a SACD is HDMI to HDMI.....Even stripping the audio off the HDMI signal returns it to PMC ..... And everything I've read states the analog outputs, stereo and 5.1 are PMC...

 

Oppo’s User Manual states: “Due to copyright restrictions, SACD audio cannot be sent through the coaxial or optical digital audio output. To listen to SACDs, please use the HDMI or analog audio connections.) IOW, with a DAC that is connected via coax or TOSLINK, you might be limited to playing the CD layer of a hybrid SACD.

I can't believe they would allow DSD files through analog outputs....Wouldn't this violate the whole copyright issue?

.....There are thousands of people out there buying SACDs and listening to them on their OPPO, Marantz or Denon ..."SACD" players, either through digital or analog and they are listening to the CD/44.1 layer.....This is nuts!

rbertalotto
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 

Not sure what the confusion is about SACD.

You buy SACD players to play SACD discs and connect the RCA/XLR out to preamp or integrated amp. The only way to get DSD out is through HDMI/I2S cables of some blu-ray players and get the output to the DAC.

Last option is to rip SACDs as DSF/DFF files and lay them through the DACs using USB or I2S cables. You will never get DSD through coaxial unless you use players like Meitner which state the following:
 

  • Up to 24bit/192kHz & DSD support over all inputs: USB Audio, AES, TOSLINK, COAX and Network(RJ45)
llg98ljk's avatar
llg98ljk
148 posts
 

 

soix;

I remember that war well. Sony had the technically superior format but convenience and longer play time won that war.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,249 posts
 

When SACD prices became reasonable, Content I already had in CD, I bought same content in hybrid SACD/CD to hear the difference. Even if DSD is converted to PCM at the last stage, the 'up front' DSD advantages/differences are there.

My conclusion: Lower Noise Floor, Piano, solos, sometimes un-naturally quiet. I learned not to try to hear the difference, just enjoy the content.

Now, I buy 'new to me' used Hybrid SACD discs, IF decently low price. Because it is my 1st listening of the content, not comparing, SACD layer it is . Certain content, usually long solos, I can decide if the SACD layer is un-naturally quiet, then I listen to the CD layer.

btw, lasers get weak with age, and if buying used, make sure the equipment can readily find the SACD layer, many used units find CD layer, but not SACD layer. And, check on eBay: are replacement laser assemblies available for that unit?

badger_erich's avatar
badger_erich
128 posts
 

I use my Oppo to rip the SACD layer onto my server. Works fantastic.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 

lasers get weak with age

This is correct, but it take a few years to reach that stage. Best thing to do it so rip the SACD as DSF files and play it via software player. You can buy a cheap Sony/Pioneer player off eBay and rip the SACD. Then archive the SACD for future.

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