Why Do ~You~ Still Play CDs?

@richardbrand 

Thank you for the kind words! I intentionally left out DSD as I did not want to over-complicate my response. I am a huge supporter of DSD and it certainly deserves a mention as a high-resolution format for its unique approach to audio reproduction. As you know, it is currently only available as downloads.

DSD’s ability to capture micro-dynamics and its “analog-like” character made it a worthwhile endeavor for me. While not without challenges (e.g., noise shaping at higher frequencies), DSD’s purity and simplicity remain compelling for me to keep buying …800 plus albums so far.

@lalitk You mentioned that DSD "is currently only available as downloads".

I guess that was a reference to streaming!  There are over 6,000 SACDs listed at Presto Music if you like classical and jazz.

I find it interesting that PCM bit-depths are multiples of 8, as in 16, 24 and 32-bits. This is more to do with computing than audio.  Around about 1970, computer designs started to coalesce on 8-bit bytes.  An eight bit byte can take 256 values, sufficient to hold a character from upper- and lower-case Latin alphabets, numbers and many other symbols.  

Fast forward 20 years and the need to incorporate Asian and other language symbols forced an expansion from 8-bits - amazingly it was lifted to 16-bits!  This immediately doubled the storage, processing and bandwidth required for text, but meant 256 times as many symbols could be represented. 

Similarly, each eight bits added to the PCM bit depth in theory gives 256 times the number of distinct sound pressure levels that can be encoded, and conversely need to be decoded.  In my opinion, many DACs struggle with 16-bits, in particular ensuring that each recorded increase in sound level results in a monotonic increase on playback.  This is particularly difficult when several bits switch off and a higher bit switches on.

One solution is the delta-sigma approach which in effect locally converts PCM into DSD.

“I guess that was a reference to streaming!”
@richardbrand 

Yes! Correction to my previous post…DSD is available as downloads or physical media (SACD). My go to reference for downloads is NativeDSD and there are few others that are very transparent on provenance of file. If I am paying for music, I don’t buy until I am able to verify the file source. 

I do agree, delta-sigma conversion combines the strengths of both PCM and DSD, offering a practical solution to the limitations of traditional PCM DACs. However, to my ears, their sound is not as natural as DAC’s that uses Sabre ESS Pro Chips. 

@lalitk

"as natural as DAC’s that uses Sabre ESS Pro Chips"

I would add that some AKM DACs also handle 32-bit PCM and DSD natively.  To my ears, Marantz uses these chips beautifully.

I always suggest looking at the data sheet for any embedded DAC to see what it is designed to do, If it doesn’t mention DSD, it is London to a brick that DSD is not natively supported!

DSD can be converted to PCM, and only loses high frequency timing,  Going the other way requires interpolation (guesswork).

The only noise shaping required for DSD output is a gentle low-pass filter in the MHz range, unless you particularly want to fiddle with what the sound engineers recorded! Contrast this with the many filters on offer for PCM.

Happy listening ...

I've had records the longest and prefer them to any other format if they are available. Disconnected my CD player about 10-12 years ago, but some really good cds are either not available on vinyl or are ridiculously expensive because they are out of print. Since my goal is to play every album I own twice a year, I recently bought a new Rotel basic CD player for peanuts which sounds surprisingly good for some CDs. Bringing my top CDs I can't get on vinyl back into the mix for my home system enabled me to bring my total number closer to my goal of 500 records in one fell swoop (I listen about 15-20 hours a week so do the math).

I think that generalizing that one format sounds better than another is for people who just like to argue. It depends on the equipment expenditure and the specific recording and format. I just will not look at a screen to relax and enjoy music at home so streaming is out. I do have Sirius XM in one of my cars and discover some new things occasionally which I buy, but only on vinyl if available.

I have gotten several CDs for free from concerts where they throw in a CD if you buy a ticket....The Who, Steely Dan, and Neil Young come to mind. I don't buy new CDs and am pretty selective about what new vinyl I buy since I am up to around 450 in my rotating albums. There are a small handful of records I don't play, and some CDs only get played in a car or in the garage when I am washing a car. When I get to 500 in my rotation, I guess that group will get larger. 

I try to make as few decisions as possible overall, so a standard rotation is my preference. Do I ever deviate? Occasionally though usually only for Miles or Steely Dan or a request by a visitor. Streaming leads to way too many decisions and missing too many things you like. Plus you own nothing and pay yet another annoying monthly fee. Only reason I have Sirius is because my wife likes Howard Stern. And you know the saying....happy wife happy life.