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Anyone using a USB DSD DAC?

Is anyone using a USB DSD DAC?
I only know of 3 ways for someone who might want to playback DSD files from there PC.
- Mytek Stereo192-DSD-DAC with USB
- "USB-Dual-Audio" PCB from ElectArt
- USBPAL PCB from RigiSystems

The New Mytek Stereo192-DSD-DAC is capable of playback of DSD 64fs 2.82Mhz files over USB, I believe with a ASIO 2.1 driver, possibly being the first device to support this new standard. 1/2 Rack Mount, XLR I/O, SPDIF and USB. Price is $1500USD. This is the first real device available to play DSD files from your home computer for under $10k.

The "USB-Dual Audio" is an assembled PCB from ElectrArt, a small japanese hobbyist company. It consists of a assembled and tested PCB with an FPGA programmed to record and playback PCM and DSD (64fs/2.82mhz or 128fs/5.6mhz) over USB, USB; SPDIF; and DSD bitstream and wordclock i/o connections, and a proprietary driver and software for recording and playback. Price is $384USD Shipped for an assembled and tested "USB-Dual Audio" PCB and unassembled DSD-1794a DAC PCB, recording meter PCB, and PCM4202 ADC PCB. If you dont want to solder pcb's, you can find other options for the ADC and DAC.

The USBPAL from RigiSystems, a swiss company, is also just a pcb. Yet it appears more refined, and is designed to be used in commercial DAC's, while the "USB-Dual Audio" is geared to the hobbyist. It has a driver to send DSD and PCM over usb. I don't know what software is used for playback. Price is around $400USD for a development kit, no DAC included, gotta find/make your own.

Is anyone playing DSD, either recorded with a device like the Korg or Tascam recorders, or files purchased from a 'Audiophile' recording company selling either DSD-Discs or DSD Downloads?

I sense a coming wave of DSD products possibly. Korg is apparently working on a DSD DAW and 8 channel DSD ADC and DAC. The Rigisystems PCB can be licensed and allows any developer to incorperate DSD into there device. The ElectArt board lets the hobbyiest develop there own DAC and ADC. There was an article showing a working USB-DAC prototype shown at a convention in japan from the DSD consortium.

Maybe the time of playing (and recording) DSD as easily as PCM with our computers is coming. I know software needs development, and there are certain limitation inherent in the format (simple manipulation can be difficult or mathematically problematic). Still I know some have a real desire for very high quality digital audio.
alexcount
robf
1 posts
 
Alexcount,

I like the idea of a DAC that accepts all formats. Do you know if either the Rigi or ElectrArt are galvanically isolated from the computer?

Thanks in advance,

Rob.
dsa
63 posts
 
I came across thread by chance looking for information on the Tascam DV-RA1000-HD Mastering Recorder w/60GB Hard Drive. I assume that this unit records in the 64fs/2.82mhz, not 128fs/5.6mhz - yes?
I have been waiting for a decent digital format to transfer my LPs and the DSD looks like a goer, and the Tascam unit is relatively cheap. However, what do I do when the 80gb internal hard drive fills? Can I just store the DSD files in an external hard drive and transfer them across as I need them? I read further back in this thread that the Tascam will not play directly from an external hard drive. So, how can I work this? I don't really want to let reduce the sound quality by sticking in my Macbook Pro into the the audio chain.
Has anyone else out there used the Tascam to convert LPs to DSD? Anyone using the Tascam at all??
crna39's avatar
crna39
145 posts
 
We use the Tascam and Korg MR2000s units all the time. The advantage that the Tascam has over the Korg is that you can use outboard converters (ie. Grimm, Meitner) if you don't like the sound of the onboard converters.
The advantage that the Korg has over the Tascam is that it can do DSD128fs.
They both shine at DSD rates... They are the best recorders we've heard under 10k. When the internal drives fill up, you just connect a USB cable to your laptop/desktop and transfer the files over. To play DSD files, just drag the files to the players. Your computer sees the players as an external HD.
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