Does DSD Direct actually work?

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 23, 2015 at 12:58:31
Sprezza Tura Audiophile Posts: 4585 Location: New York City Joined: August 24, 2012	Let me if I may, help you out. Your question is unintelligible. You need to coherently re post your query, because it sounds like some one who does not have a clue about computer audio files. This is not to be mean, I am stating a fact, and would like to see your question answered to your satisfaction.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 23, 2015 at 13:49:58

John Elison
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I don't know too much about digital audio files either, but I interpreted Frihed89's question to be, "Is it better to convert PCM into DSD in the digital domain before performing a digital-to-analog conversion?" I think there are DACs that do this. I've been told the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC converts everything to DSD before performing the digital-to-analog conversion. On the other hand, I've also been told that the vast majority of DSD DACs convert DSD to PCM prior to performing the digital-to-analog conversion. Anyway, based on these questions, what do you think is the better approach?

Thanks,
John Elison

DSD Direct is software (nt), posted on January 23, 2015 at 14:27:52
agattu Audiophile Posts: 606 Location: NW Washington & Southcentral Alaska Joined: March 27, 2005	.

Changing WAV to DSD, posted on January 23, 2015 at 15:28:18
JeffH Audiophile Posts: 4574 Location: Orange County, So Cal Joined: April 5, 2000	won't make it a better sounding file, but if the DAC handles DSD better than it does WAV, it possibly could sound better.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 23, 2015 at 16:35:49
theob Audiophile Posts: 3180 Location: ann arbor michigan Joined: November 4, 2000	Sounds like you worked in our diplomatic core. How about 'help me understand your question better' instead of insulting the guy.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 23, 2015 at 17:39:22
Sprezza Tura Audiophile Posts: 4585 Location: New York City Joined: August 24, 2012	I don't how you made heads or tails of his question, I read five times and it is gibberish. Any my, IMHO, DSD natively is the only way to go. PCM natively, is the way to go. The PS Audio DAC, is supposed to be fantastic, and I know people who have heard and loved it..

RE: Changing WAV to DSD, posted on January 23, 2015 at 17:39:52
Sprezza Tura Audiophile Posts: 4585 Location: New York City Joined: August 24, 2012	pleasing coloration..

Aspergers? , posted on January 23, 2015 at 22:24:31
PaulN Audiophile Posts: 1412 Joined: January 13, 2000	You wear it well.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 09:07:16

John Elison
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> The PS Audio DAC, is supposed to be fantastic, and I know people who have heard and loved it.

I've heard the PerfectWave DAC II and it sounded exceptional to me, but I haven't heard the Direct Stream DAC. A friend of mine bought and sold three of them so far and never warmed up to its sound quality with DSD files. He told me it sounded very good with PCM but he didn't find it any more impressive with DSD than his Oppo BDP-105. He now owns the Auralic Vega DSD DAC and he says the Vega is the best sounding DSD DAC he has heard to date.

I'm hoping the Mytek Manhattan sounds good because that DAC/Preamp contains just about every feature I want. I'm waiting for a report from another friend who just bought one. I'm very intrigued by the Mytek Manhattan because it seems to have every conceivable digital input in addition to a few analog inputs including a high-end phono stage option.

Best regards,
John Elison

Mytek Manhattan DSD DAC/Premap

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 12:32:06
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	I have Mytek 192/DSD Dac, and Sony Hap Z1. ( 2 separate systems ). Everything sounds better to me in 2X DSD, no matter what it was originally. I use Audiogate 3 to Convert and Export Files for use in both Mytek and Sony. I'm loving both.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 14:16:57
John Elison Audiophile Posts: 23900 Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004	I might try converting some of my PCM files to DSD128 and see how they sound. I can play them in my TASCAM DA-3000. My Oppo BDP-105D will play only DSD64 directly from a hard drive. I believe it will play DSD128 from a computer music server, though. Thanks, John Elison

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 15:47:48
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	You're right. I did my best. I have WAV files. I want to hook up an Audio Note Transport (only S/PDIF out) to a small Dac, perhaps the iFi Micro iDSD. I don't know what DSD is or Wav is for that matter. I don't want to involve a computer as the transport, if I can avoid it. I can't state it any more clearly.

RE: Aspergers? , posted on January 24, 2015 at 15:49:03
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	What's that? A type of computer file?

I can't comment, posted on January 24, 2015 at 15:53:19
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Except to say that I use Red Book CD's in an Audio Note CDP that has an S/PDIF output direct from the transport. NO USB. I want to try a different, small Dac that can accomplish this. I don't know what PCM or DSD is.

OK. I' ve wasted everyone's time. Sorry., posted on January 24, 2015 at 15:55:04
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Then it's a non-starter? Thanks.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:25:55
Sprezza Tura Audiophile Posts: 4585 Location: New York City Joined: August 24, 2012	The DirectStream was the PS Audio model I was referring to., never heard the PerfectWave. The Auralic Vega is very good, heard it on PCM..impressive, but the price bugs me. Agree the MyTek Manhatten looks very impressive!

RE: OK. I' ve wasted everyone's time. Sorry., posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:28:05

Sprezza Tura
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To be blunt, you need to have at least some basic knowledge before you post a question like yours which was really just gibberish.

If you don't know what a WAV file is you need to hit Google hard. Just sayin'.

Everyone here loves to help but you can imagine how difficult it is with starting from zero.

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:31:29

ted_b
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Joined: January 14, 2001

I have both the PS Audio Directstream (my review is on CA homepage) and the Mytek Manhattan DAC here inhouse. My report will be forthcoming. I am still breaking in the Manhattan, and Michal is sending me firmware updates, etc. I am longtime Mytek beta customer and reviewed (and own) the original Stereo 192 DSD as well as posted about stacking 3 of them for multichannel, which I still do on occasion. :)

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:37:17
Sprezza Tura Audiophile Posts: 4585 Location: New York City Joined: August 24, 2012	Hey Ted: I have been following your observations for a long time. Please keep 'em coming.

Here you go...., posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:46:15

John Elison
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Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM)

Direct Stream Digital (DSD)

You need to buy a DAC with a S/PDIF coax input.

Good luck,
John Elison

Parasound Zdac at Audio Advisor

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 18:30:09

John Elison
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Contributor
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> The Auralic Vega is very good, heard it on PCM..impressive, but the price bugs me.

Why does the price bug you? The Auralic Vega costs 42% less than the PS Audio DirectStream. Does the price of the PS Audio DirectStream bug you?

PS Audio DirectStream - $5999
Auralic Vega - $3499

I really like the Mytek Manhattan because it has even more digital inputs than the other two and it also has three analog inputs, all for $4995. It will replace my Pass Labs X1 preamp and my DAC.

Best regards,
John Elison

Mytek Manhattan DSD DAC/Premap

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 24, 2015 at 18:47:32

Sprezza Tura
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Posts: 4585
Location: New York City
Joined: August 24, 2012

I'm glad you took me to task.."bug" is not the right word..

To better explain it..I really like the Vega, but I like the Bryston BDA-2 better, and it is $600 less, and I like the Simaudio Neo 380D better, and it is $600 more.

The DirectStream is being touted as SOTA, by a number of experienced listeners, and if true, the price is certainly fair. PS Audio is also standing behind the product with firmware updates and very good support.

Thank you., posted on January 25, 2015 at 14:25:08
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	You and Thorsten have come to my badly needed rescue.

RE: Here you go...., posted on January 25, 2015 at 14:27:02
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	No, i worked for the government.

You're Welcome! ;-) /nt\, posted on January 25, 2015 at 15:37:27
John Elison Audiophile Posts: 23900 Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004

RE: Does DSD Direct actually work?, posted on January 26, 2015 at 17:07:23
Tony Lauck Audiophile Posts: 13629 Location: Vermont Joined: November 12, 2007	"I have Mytek 192/DSD Dac, and Sony Hap Z1. ( 2 separate systems ). Everything sounds better to me in 2X DSD, no matter what it was originally." Me, too. Conversions via HQPlayer. Tony Lauck "Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar

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Does DSD Direct actually work?

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