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DACS that don't do DSD - obsolete?

I can get a deal on the Cary Audio 100T DAC (with tube analog stage). It's supposed to sound fantastic but it doesn't do DSD without converting to PCM first.

I don't spend that much time listening to SACD's but I know there's more DSD material coming out these days. This begs the question - are non DSD DACs becoming obsolete? Or put another way - are DACS that do DSD more future proof?
larrybou
larrybou OP
130 posts
 
KR4 - I don't believe it accepts DSD, it has to have DSD converted to PCM in advance (I'll double check that). If that's the case, it would at the very least hurt its potential resale value in the next couple years?

It may be a feature I never care about but OTOH if music is moving increasingly to hi res it's not something I want to miss out on.

DoggieHouser - So basically a better dad that didn't do DSD was outperformed by up sampling to a lesser dad that DOES DSD? Interesting.

Mitch4T - I've been thinking about the Wyred 4 Sound DAC as well. Have you heard it? Also the newest Benchmark does DSD. Any opinions on the Wyred VS Benchmark?
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
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Larry, I have not heard the Wyred4Sound DAC. I've heard good things about their previous DACs...and for $2500, their newest special edition DAC looks like it might be a winner. Not enough reviews out yet on it.
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onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,276 posts
 
I have a D/A that does DSD and I could care less about the feature. I've never downloaded DSD recordings and I don't foresee me doing so anytime soon. As such the DSD feature is meaningless to me. Does having DSD future proof the machine? After the deluge will it really be important?
larrybou OP
130 posts
 
I'm probably way off base since I'm just now looking into this stuff. But it seems that impressive results are being had up-rezzing PCM to DSD like with the Sony HAPZ1, J-river - what Mitch4t is describing.

If this is true, a DAC without DSD capability could be a liability.

doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Not everyone likes the DSD sound so best to audition if you can.

I know there are very strong proponents of older R2R PCM DACs (these DACs don't convert PCM to sigma delta before converting to analog) like the TDA1541 or the PCM1704s. There are certain characteristics of those DACs that I like - I own an Ayon CD5S.

But I do like how SACDs and native DSD DACs sound which I feel are closer to my analog rig.
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