DSD Numbers.

Do you mean DSD 64, DSD 256 etc ?

The numbers are multiples of the clock frequency of 44.1 e.g. DSD 64 is 64 x 44.1. So given an end to end DSD recording and playback system the higher numbers indicate higher resolution and that the the noise resulting from the one bit DSD processing is moved further out of the audio band (noise shaping) to a point where a filter is applied. For the highest rates the filter can be very simple indeed such as in the new Marantz CD-10 player.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 18, 2017 at 06:00:40
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	OK Thanks, why does the SA-10 require 3 filters,one should be enough for best SQ.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 18, 2017 at 08:05:07

PAR

We need to distinguish between "require" and simply " has".

It only requires one filter and only one filter is available to use at any time.

Different digital filter types produce audibly different results with differing repertoire and sample rates due to the types of abberation produced ( e.g. time domain v. frequency domain). So Marantz (and many other processor manufacturers) therefore provide a choice of filters to the consumer. Yes, personal preference comes into it too.

There is no textbook perfect digital filter for all purposes as all produce pre or post ringing or a limitation in the audio band or a permutation thereof. As dCS say in their user manuals on the subject of filters and their multi-filter type equipped DACs "There is no right answer". Some folk with PCM only processors appear to prefer the sound of no filter at all despite the then reproduction of digital aliases at higher frequencies.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 18, 2017 at 09:19:38
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I have heard dCs expensive components and still prefer Sony who have either one or no filters. When I had the obese Marantz SA7-S1 despite its filters I found none satisfactory ?

It's a shame that, posted on February 18, 2017 at 17:10:24
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37584 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	Different digital filter types produce audibly different results with differing repertoire and sample rates due to the types of abberation produced ( e.g. time domain v. frequency domain). Most folks don't understand this reality. Especially when applied to a decidedly lacking format like Redbook. "Perfect sound forever"? What a joke.

RE: It's a shame that, posted on February 19, 2017 at 01:55:51
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	red book cd can be very good if mastered correctly.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 02:55:15
PAR	" I have heard dCs expensive components and still prefer Sony who have either one or no filters " As I said, personal preference comes into it and this appears to be yours. I am not aware of any Sony CD player,DAC or other processor that uses no digital filter at all though. Please advise.

RE: It's a shame that, posted on February 19, 2017 at 07:27:09

knewton
Audiophile

Posts: 563
Location: Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
Joined: May 18, 2010

I agree with that, especially in conjunction with a good DAC. However, in my experience, there is still one digital gremlin to fully banish. Listening fatigue. At least, via PCM digital. Digital listening fatigue is no longer the commonly obvious factor it once was upon even short listening. Raspy or splashy treble, flat soundstage, just the feeling to turn the volume down or even off. With good digital, it can take awhile before fatigue becomes apparent. This may be only gradually apparent, sometimes manifesting as boredom with, or easy distraction from, the sound or provoking an difficult to pin down but growing anxious feeling.
_
Ken Newton

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 07:28:07
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I assume Sony XA5400ES SACD player incorporates one digital filter ?

RE: It's a shame that, posted on February 19, 2017 at 07:41:23
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	I can listen all day to Tidal streaming and never suffer any ill effects You just need good gear and redbook is fine. Alan

RE: It's a shame that, posted on February 19, 2017 at 08:09:59
knewton Audiophile Posts: 563 Location: Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Joined: May 18, 2010	I hear you. It's just not been my experience, at least via CD, although the situation is far better than it once was. _ Ken Newton

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 09:30:33

PAR

" I assume Sony XA5400ES SACD player incorporates one digital filter ?"

No it actually has three as far as I can deduce. It uses an 8x oversampling filter for redbook discs so as to present the resultant data to the final conversion stage at a similar rate to that of SACD. However as the frequency responses for CD and SACD are specified as different (as they have to be - oversampling and upsampling adds no data), I conclude that different digital filters are used for each of the formats (as is the usual case with CD/SACD players). However I may be wrong as I can find no information on this. If I am it therefore has two filters.

So in this example I guess that use of the word " requires" rather than just " has" would be appropriate as all the filters are necessary for the operation of the machine and are not user selectable.

However you referred to Sony digital processors with no digital filters, rather than one, in your earlier message and that is what my query was about.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 12:20:03
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I can not find where you say I posted Sony digital processors with no digital filters ?

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 12:31:41
PAR	It is your posting at 09:19:38 on 18th February in which you said : " I have heard dCs expensive components and still prefer Sony who have either one or no filters ".

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 12:52:09
knewton Audiophile Posts: 563 Location: Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Joined: May 18, 2010	The trouble is identifying what is the reason for your preference. Is it the filter? Is it jitter? Is it the I/V circuit? Or is it something else? _ Ken Newton

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 12:56:54
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I meant their SACD player

Marantz SA-10?, posted on February 19, 2017 at 13:22:57
jusbe Audiophile Posts: 5950 Location: North Island Joined: April 4, 2000	I'd like to hear one of those, as a former CD-7 owner. Big J "... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal* salvation is a contradiction in terms."*

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 13:57:50

Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12435
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002

From Sony's technical doc on the XA5400ES:

1. 8x oversampling digital filter for CD. Ensures accurate phase linearity and low noise.
2. Noise shaper for CD to further suppress audible noise. The noise shaper also puts out a 1-bit signal at 64 times the CD sampling frequency (1-bit/64 fs). Sixty-four times 44.1 kHz equals 2.8224 MHz, the same sampling frequency as Super Audio CD. In this way, the SA DAC presents both CD and SA-CD signals to the final converter stage in the identical 1-bit/64 fs form.
3. DSD filter for SA-CD, a digital filter that removes unwanted super high frequency noise by computing raw 1-bit digital data. By reducing noise in the digital domain, the DSD filter reduces the burden on analog filters and contributes to the uniformity among channels.
4. Multi-level DAC for both SA-CD and CD is a breakthrough design that combines the best attributes of 1-bit converters and multi-bit converters for sound that is exceptionally transparent, against a background that is phenomenally free from noise.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 13:57:53
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	Here is your post "In Reply to: RE: DSD Numbers. posted by PAR on February 18, 2017 at 08:05:07: I have heard dCs expensive components and still prefer Sony who have either one or no filters. When I had the obese Marantz SA7-S1 despite its filters I found none satisfactory ?" Edits: 02/18/17 You clearly say you prefer sony which has 0ne or no filters Alan

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 14:08:32
PAR	Well SACD players , including Sony's, have digital filters.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 19, 2017 at 14:16:58

PAR

" The trouble is identifying what is the reason for your preference. Is it the filter? Is it jitter? Is it the I/V circuit? Or is it something else?"

Yes indeed. Particularly when a system like a full four box dCS stack has the possibility of numerous permutations of several relevant factors. And let's not forget that, whatever the form the digital processing took, the actual sound largely comes post processing from the analogue output stage.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 20, 2017 at 01:11:02

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

Kal : Many thanks for tech data on the Sony XA5400ES. . Do you have any technical Data on the Sony AVR STR-DA5400ES which must be used for best digital performance from the player, which would explain why the AVR does output DSD 3/2 shown on the display,whilst Sony UK technical say it uses the full resolution of the DSD signal (32 bit) from input filtering through to processing the signal, then and only then does the amplifier at the final stage convert to PCM. This way you can ensure the full resolution of the DSD signal can be fully utilised. Air Studios told me this is not only misleading but blatantly incorrect and infers a sample rate of 88.2 KHz.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 20, 2017 at 05:53:21
Kal Rubinson Reviewer Posts: 12435 Location: New York Joined: June 5, 2002	I think that the DSD 3/2 display is an indication of what the AVR is getting from the player. Beyond that, I have no idea what it does with it.

I agree with Alan, posted on February 20, 2017 at 08:31:27
garymuffley Dealer Posts: 445 Location: Maryland Joined: March 29, 2006	Tubes coupled with a really good NOS dac can yield Redbook playback that is intensely enjoyable. I no longer listen to vinyl.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 20, 2017 at 09:17:59
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	OK Thanks

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 20, 2017 at 16:29:49

PAR

" Sony UK technical say it uses the full resolution of the DSD signal (32 bit) "

Sorry if I am posting a bit too much in this thread, but Sony tech actually told you that DSD is 32 bit resolution? DSD is a one bit delta sigma system. One bit.However even if they meant 32 bit as an equivalent it has no reality.

32 bit is, of course, a nonsensical resolution for audio use as it has the ability to capture sound with a dynamic range of around 193dB which just about exceeds any sound on Earth from the thermal movement of molecules to the greatest volcanic eruption.

The loudest sound ever heard on earth in modern times was the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. Estimated at circa 180dB. Remember that decibels are logarithmic and that extra 13dB is even more preposterous. It cannot be catered for in any existing audio system. It's a "useful for marketing purposes " only number. Put it another way, if you could reproduce a recording with 193db dynamic range you will never hear again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Stream_Digital

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 20, 2017 at 23:57:00

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

Yes that was in the email I received and you will note that Air Studios said it was misleading & blatantly incorrect. To be completely accurate the email was from Sony Area Sales manager after he presumably contacted Sony Technical after I had specifically requested this info from the retailer if the DA5400ES outputs DSD before I purchased, It is only recently after configuration from the remote that the DSD 3/2 appeared on the AVR display, I can definately hear the difference between PCM & DSD the later is sharper with slightly better definition and I prefer it.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 21, 2017 at 02:37:27

PAR

The DA5400ES is an AV receiver. Of course it does not output audio formats, it receives them (input not output). The receiver's output is power to loudspeakers.

I am sure that DSD 3/2 on the display shows that the input received is DSD and that the output speaker configuration is 3 ( front L/ centre/front R) and 2 ( rear L/ Rear R). I just mention that as I thought ( no doubt mistakenly) that you might be indicating in the context of this thread that DSD 3/2 might mean DSD 32 bit.

Incidentally the actual dynamic range of DSD is about 120db or the equivalent of around 20 bits. Perfectly adequate for music audio.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 21, 2017 at 03:08:24
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	This makes no sense to me as it was not until I reconfigured with the remote that the receiver displayed DSD 3/2, always used with the XA5400ES player, previous output being PCM. Furthermore I use the pre-out of the receiver into my stereo amplifier to drive front speakers, only centre & rear get power from the AVR

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 21, 2017 at 05:11:10

PAR

OK, so you play an SACD in the player with output sent via HDMI to the AV receiver. The DSD layer on the SACD is selected in the player and either stereo or MCH is also selected as is the requirement at the time ( maybe both via the receiver's 2 way communication with the player, see below).

The AV receiver takes the DSD data and converts it to analogue. The analogue output is sent via the pre out jacks to the stereo amp feeding the front L and R speakers. The analogue output for the remaining channels is amplified by the AV receiver and used to power front centre and rear L and R speakers.

Is that your system's connectivity?

If correct, so as far as I can tell from the manual, you can remotely select the configuration of the HDMI connected player via the receiver (but it's still an output from the player) and configure aspects of the speakers. The receiver is not itself outputting any DSD. It may do this using its connectivity to a Zone 2 component i.e. another system in another room but you haven't mentioned this.

So the display is showing DSD input from the player and that the output of the receiver is for a combination of 3 speakers front and 2 speakers rear. However you are actually not using all of the amplified channels but are taking 2 of them via the pre out.

Does this make sense?

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 21, 2017 at 07:48:45

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

Not completely, stereo or mch is selected by player and receiver.all my SACDs are mch. For the past 8 years or so I have been listening only to PCM as mentioned in the email from Sony. It was only by chance that I inadvertantly pressed a button on the remote and the DSD 3/2 was displayed. , there is no mention in the receiver manual saying that DSD can be selected. In the Manual all it says re DSD , Audio format used for SACD DSD converts analogue signals to digital and records them directly,without adding any processing,so that no information is omitted. Recording and playback of high fidelity, quality sound is achieved. The connectivity is as you say. I do not use Zone 2.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 04:11:24

PAR

" there is no mention in the receiver manual saying that DSD can be selected. In the Manual all it says re DSD.."

Manual p.125 "HDMI Settings" Audio Out (Setting HDMI audio
input)
Lets you set the HDMI audio signals output
from the playback component connected to the receiver via an HDMI connection".

The DSD quotation you have is from the glossary and is just a general description of what DSD is. Rather poor from a technical point of view I am sure you will agree.

So for 8 years you have had a multi channel audio system but have , until recently, been using it only in PCM mode. Thereby you have been listening only to stereo from your MCH SACDs. Is that correct?

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 05:05:54
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	NO, I have been listening to mch SACD in PCM , now in DSD This a very complex receiver.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 05:36:49

PAR

I do not understand your answer. There is no such thing as PCM multichannel from an SACD. I am unable to find anything in your receiver that does digital to digital conversion so that a DSD signal is converted to PCM.

Of course you can send a PCM stereo signal from the player to the receiver and have the receiver do some DSP processing to create a fake surround sound effect ( p.83 in the manual).

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 05:54:59
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	SONY said the receiver converts to PCM at the final stage. So are you saying that I have been listening all the time to DSD mch,despite the receiver display only now showing DSD 3/2.

Sorry., posted on February 22, 2017 at 06:05:31

Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12435
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002

The XA5400ES will output DSD (mch or stereo) via HDMI but it will also output PCM (mch or stereo) from the DSD layer of the disc depending on the handshaking with the connected target component.

I became familiar with this when I tested the XA5400ES and was surprised to find that it output mch PCM when I connected it to 2-3 preamp/processors which were supposed to be capable of handling DSD as can Disbeliever's Sony AVR. It turns out that the player demands a particular handshake code and, with a trivial firmware update to those pre/pros, they immediately elicited DSD output from the player.

It is unfortunate that Disbeliever has been listening to PCM rather than DSD but he was getting real multichannel and high resolution (24/192, most likely).

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 06:45:21
PAR	Not after Kal's interesting response.

RE: Sorry., posted on February 22, 2017 at 07:02:13

PAR

Kal, that is very interesting and I am, like you, surprised.

In fact I was walking home from the supermarket 30 or so minutes ago and used the time to ponder on what the OP had said. I started to wonder if the player had a D to D conversion capabilty. So when I returned I had a look at the XA 5400ES manual and there is no mention of any such thing.

It isn't however my first accidental discovery of this type of thing with a Sony transport. I was suprised to find with an early dCS transport which used a Sony 555ES mechanism, that even though the SACD layer was selected and DSD was therefore available on the Firewire outputs there was still output duplicated in PCM on the SP/dif ports. Speaking with dCS they advised that this was a factor caused by the Sony transport design rather than being the result of anything from dCS. It also was not mentioned in the user manual.

The really odd thing to me is the need for a handshake code when both of the OP's components are from Sony and are meant to be mated together.

RE: Sorry., posted on February 22, 2017 at 07:08:33

Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12435
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002

This is not unique to Sony. For example, until a recent firmware update, all Oppo players would automatically output PCM from HDMI unless the handshake indicated that the target component was DSD-capable. The new firmware offers options of PCM only, DSD only (with silence if the target cannot handle it) and Auto (what it had before).

In addition, until the relatively recent appearance of DoP, it was not possible to output DSD over S/PDIF, so a default to PCM should be no surprise.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 08:59:41

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

Par,unless I have misunderstood Kal's interesting intervention,you are incorrect to say there is no such thing as PCM multichannel from a SACD. I was always suprised that Kal never tried out the DA5400ES AVR which is the natural partner for the XA5400ES to evaluate digital mch. I believe he dislikes receivers preferring pre- pros which are of no interest to me. I hope Kal gets a Marantz SA-10 for a Stereophile review.

Marantz SA-10 ?, posted on February 22, 2017 at 10:20:39
Kal Rubinson Reviewer Posts: 12435 Location: New York Joined: June 5, 2002	Too few channels.

RE: DSD Numbers., posted on February 22, 2017 at 13:31:47

PAR

I posted this message ( approx) before but it seems to have disappeared.

" ,you are incorrect to say there is no such thing as PCM multichannel from a SACD"

Not quite. There is no such thing as PCM multichannel from SACD*. However some players like yours can convert the DSD stream from the SACD DSD layer to PCM. This is what appears to have been happening for you in the past.

According to Kal the player needs to have a handshake with the receiver so that it knows that the receiver is capable of handling DSD data. Once it knows this then it stops converting and sends DSD via HDMI to the receiver. I would guess from your postings that when you reconfigured the settings you unknowingly sent the handshake code. Thereon the player stopped converting DSD to PCM and you had a full DSD experience.

* The CD ( PCM) layer of an SACD disc is redbook standard. Redbook has no provision for multi channel. If there was such a thing as a redbook protocol for multichannel then the disc playing time would be very short on a 12cm disc due to its data capacity in this format.

RE: Marantz SA-10 ?, posted on February 23, 2017 at 01:12:24
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	LOL

RE: It's a shame that, posted on March 26, 2017 at 06:33:36
RGA Reviewer Posts: 15177 Location: Hong Kong Joined: August 8, 2001	The more computer audio I listen to the more I want to buy a good redbook CD player.

Digital Drive

DSD Numbers.

79.67.179.96