DSD: The Good, The Bad & The Test

In this video we explore the main characteristics of DSD, Direct Stream Digital, focusing on its good and bad sides. Finally, we will have a DSD vs. PCM test. Make sure to download the DSD and PCM files here below for the test and take the POLL to rate each track!

DSD vs PCM Test files download:

DSD vs PCM Test Poll (still active!):

Here are the results:

AES article with blind test:

Native DSD websites:

#dsd #pcm #nativedsd

[kniferideaudio]

I've been in Recording and Pro Audio for about 25 years and have listened to a lot of DSD. It's great. So is PCM. I have never once listened to something and said "Ohhh, I wish this was in DSD!!!" Never. Not once. I never even think about DSD unless someone tells me "it is DSD". It simply does not make an impactful difference to enjoying music. You are likely to hear a bigger difference if you have extra pillows on one side of your couch that the other, or a rug vs. carpet. or even a cold dry day vs. a hot humid day.

[HindemithperformsHindemith]

Super esaustivo, finalmente un po' di chiarezza! Grazie!

[neilgoddard]

Thank you for this really excellent video and for sharing the files. This is the first time I've heard DSD on my DAC (Chord Hugo2). The track selection is also excellent. The higher resolution WAV files are definitely at a higher volume than the DSD which initially makes them sound more impressive. Normalising the volume, the higher rate DSD are very natural with each instrument clearly defined.

[kamertonaudiophileplayer]

DSD got a wide introduction 5 years ago. First, I was really skeptical, especially knowing it came from Sony. But then, I started working on DSD decoding and listen to a lot DSD samples. And then I realized how good it is sounding. Now I collect almost only DSD.

[ThatsKorny]

Great, thank you for simply unpacking the differences from PCM and DSD.

[xhdfusion]

Thank you to share my work at 2xHD with the Bill Evans that use Analog master tape to DSD ! We also do pure all analog copy from the master tapes on 1/4 inch 15 ips CCIR tapes. But analog master transfer to DSD and sometime to 352.8KHz/24 Bit give great digital. One other thing that change the result is the specific A/D converter used to do the transfer. You can try 2xHD Audiophile Analog Collection Vol.2 that use a new custom A/D in 352.8 24 bit that is pretty special. Rene Laflamme, 2xHD

[JesusMartinez-mkfc]

One issue for many audiophiles with playing DSD material, whether through dowloaded files or SACD discs, from the source to a DSD capable DAC, is that you can't do any manipulation whatsoever to the DSD signal without first converting it to PCM, which pretty much throws out the window the claimed SQ advantages of DSD under those circumstances.

If for instance you want to use any form of DSP like bass management, digital room correction (e.g. Dirac, ARC, Audiolense, Audyssey, etc) or even plain parametric EQ to reduce bloated bass caused by room induced standing waves, you have to convert the DSD signal to PCM as any of those forms of processing can't be done under DSD.

It's the same problem sound engineers are faced with in the recording studio. If they're going to do any mixing or signal processing as simple as a gain change, they have to convert a portion of the DSD signal to the DXD format (PCM), perform the desired processing in PCM and convert it back to DSD. Alternatively they could perform that processing on analog tape and convert it back to DSD. There exist no algorithms or math to perform an operation only on a one bit sample. That's why there are so few pure DSD recordings as indicated by the passionate host of this channel.

I have a descent collection of SACD recordings whether in classical music, jazz or rock and I personally find a greater benefit of using bass management to properly integrate my subwoofer and adding digital room correction than listening to that same recording in pure DSD mode directly decoded by the DAC. I believe that what has the greatest impact on SQ is the care taken by the experienced recording and sound engineers when producing the DSD recordings or any other format for that matter.

[Scopolamine]

One year after you presented this video it seems that DSD is making a resurgence. There are more than several recording companies that are going for DSD and to my ear they sound outstanding. Mark Levinson was one of the first to be a huge promoter of the SACD and if anyone is lucky enough to find his Red Rose sampler CD I think you will be in for a big surprise. Mark was actually able to get some of the best jazz musicians in New York City to record at least half of the music on this sampler and it’s almost impossible find now. The sound is nothing short of spectacular. I was lucky enough to purchase one from Mark when he opened a very small Red Rose audio salon on the east side of Manhattan. Among the new start ups is Octave Recordings which was started by Paul McGowan of PS Audio. He’s totally bought in to this DSP technology. I have listened to a few of his releases and they are incredible.

[tthedon]

the best video on dsd! especially the 'bad' section. bravo

[KLiNoTweet]

Thanks for the tests and the paper. Very very interesting 🙂

[waterglass]

Thank you very much for the post, very informative and contents make all sense. To me, DSD has more clarity and presence, totaling different sound. I often venture Native DSD and Chennel Musics, hoping their business run well. I also am enjoyed Qobuz by huge amount of hi-def music everyday (unfortunately only PCM)!

[Bozlee]

I love your channel. My Breakfast in America SACD leaves any vinyl version of this album in the dust.

[jochvomberg]

Thanks for this great review.I am using the T+A Dac 8 DSD witch can handle
dsd without convert it to PCM.Most Dacs are doing this cause there are no more native DSD

D/A Converters produced.T+A writes: For the purpose of handling DSD data which can be supplied via the PC-USB input we have developed a unique, dedicated converter: the T+A True One Bit DSD Converter. This is of fully analogue construction and constitutes a genuine one-bit converter, since – unlike other manufacturers – we did not want to use the DSD mode of a PCM converter. This development ensures that DSD data are processed in a genuine one-bit stream process, uncoloured and without detrimental additional conversion.

[jn]

Nice to see you again. No questions - DSD is better sounding - I have tested them myself. My problem with DSD is that most audiophile preamps/integrateds do not offer HDMI inputs. Therefore, most SACD players have to convert the signals into PMC - negating the benefits of DSD signals encoded onto the SACDs. Also, OPTICAL and COAXIAL cables cannot carry DSD signals (what you get is 44.1K/16bit). BUT, there is a better sounding format (even beating the DSD) R2R tapes!

[blaify]

Thank you! DSD must be like mp3 in the future, the world must accept this change :D

[samhalsey]

Ok, One More Time without Notes!
(Kidding!😉)
Wow that was Awesome and A Lot!
Not sure I’ll do the test but will definitely check out the study/abstract!! Thanks!

[cristhiantoro]

You are a Master! Music on Analog forever! Thank you!!

[CynicEidolon]

This is such a better explanation than Paul gave. Thanks, man.

[douglasamadei]

Sir, very good your video. Congratulations!!
I had a little idea about the subject and with your video I was able to increase my knowledge. As soon as possible (in Brazil the prices of good equipment are very high), I'll buy a DAC that can read DSD512 and then test your files.
Thank you so much for the great work!!

[charlesludwig]

This is your best video, as informative as it is entertaining. 5.1 SACD is my favorite means to multichannel audio via an OPPO-205 . Other means to this recorded music in DSD or FLAC by downloading takes to many click and scroll actions to enjoy in the moment of interest. At any rate, SACD so far seems most ideal for recorded music listening pleasure.