|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
67.233.211.253
Hi Everybody,I will try to be concise. After years of false starts I finally made the jump into hi-rez. I got a Sony Hap-Z1, and started ripping CDs into flac, and buying DSD downloads. I really like the way DSD sounds. Very close to modern vinyl if you ask me. The one thing I don't like about it is the limited dynamic range of the downloads. My background is vinyl, SETs, all horn speakers, so I've been spoiled with dynamic range, and I have the system to exploit it if the record companies would give it to us. Some of the CDs I have ripped have good DR and it comes across. The DR database is an invaluable tool. BTW, the RB CDs converted to DSD by the Hap sound very good too.
I've been considering ripping SACDs into DSD via PS3. Yes I know the first and correct answer would be, "Try it, and decide for yourself." Still I know people on this forum have gone down this road before, and I would like to hear about their experience before I buy a PS3 and expensive Japanese import SACDs. What got me hinkey was an article where Cookie Marenco said that ripped SACDs don't sound as good as DSD downloads, but this could all be a matter of degree.
Your thoughts?
---------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
Edits: 05/04/15Follow Ups:
A few points I'd like to make:
1) DSD64 has the potential for 150db from 20hz to below the 20khz, as long as the DAC effectively filters the noise shaped data above 50khz or so (DSD128 and DSD256 doubles and quadruples that distance between music and noise in the ether).
2) No existing PS3 will rip SACDs, only out of production CECHA, CECHB, CECHC and CECHE units. Furthermore, those units cannot have had their firmware updated beyond 3.55 or an adtl $100 needs to be spent to hardware mod them down again.
3) SACD rips come from what is called the DSD cutting master. It is normally a losslessly compressed (DST) dff file that then goes through SACD authoring; it came from the original dff file (called the edit master). In theory if you can get the edit master before this SACD authoring then you have a slightly cleaner dff file and a better sounding download. So...it all depends on the label. Most labels provide us (NativeDSD) the edit masters but I can't speak for other sites....our Channel Classics, for example, are all edit masters.
Thanks for the great info Ted.
I have read up on the PS3 process. Your comments about the mastering process helps a lot. I will have to try a better quality download source.
If SACD rips sound as good as the 2.8Mhz files I am listening to now, then I would be very happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
I have ripped close to 200 SACDs via the PS3 method. Unfortunately, like everything else in this hobby, some were outstanding and some were so-so. Even within the same label, I have almost all of the RCA Living Stereo SACD catalog and as I mentioned, some are excellent and some not so much.
I also discovered that some of the newer SHM stuff was a little disappointing - and they aren't cheap!
If you have the SACDs and are adventurous I would recommend trying it. Just the keepers alone, not having to purchase them as DSD downloads at $20+ each, has more than paid for the PS3.
Thanks Jabs. I hear ya.
I've read that the SHM stuff is hit or miss. Too bad.
No I don't have any SACDs. I keep repeating to myself that the Yes box set would make it all worthwhile, but then I read user reviews that say it's very dynamically compressed. I guess we in the US don't have a monopoly on that. I might do it anyway.
I think I will give the Yes albums remixed by Steven Wilson on DVD a try. Of course I'll be downloading the Neil Young albums off PONO in 24/192, and I know those albums like the back of my hand. I should get started tonight.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
It'll be good to great.. That dude was born 40 years too late, he woulda killed back in the late 60s/early 70s...
-RW-
I may never find out. I just noticed that on these reissues he is mixing the 5.1 not the 96/24 two channel. Those are just straight transfers from the original tapes. I guess that's good and bad. I don't know what kind of results one could get by down mixing the 5.1 into 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
"... ripped SACDs don't sound as good as DSD downloads, but this could all be a matter of degree...."
It may be a matter of provenance. If (and that is a big IF ), the downloads are of the original master and/or taken prior to the usual (lossless) compression to DST for making the disc, there is a chance that the download will be superior. Cookie can afford to make that statement since she is often the recordist/producer for much of what she offers.
OTOH, there is no such assurance, in general, for downloads from most websites.
Yes, she cited the lossless compression used to put both the 2.0 and 5.1 on the same layer as the culprit. It makes me wonder if 2.0 only SACDs are not compressed at all.
----------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
Edits: 04/29/15
Note that I didn't comment on her motives nor did I question whether files could sound better. The issue is whether, in most cases, you can know what files you are buying.
Sorry I should have separated my one response into two, and I did not mean to suggest you did.
You point regarding provenance is taken. I'm sure the DSD files I am downloading from Acoustic Sounds are "industry standard." They seem to have the same DR score as the 24/196 PCM files. I'll just give ripping SACDs a try, and see how it sounds.
Thanks
---------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
I think you will be very happy with the P3 results...I am..
Thanks Cal.
---------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
Adulterated crapola. I refer here to the major labels as regards albums that have attained platinum status.
Let's take Steely Dan's Gaucho. I have a suspicion that the record companies do not want to turn over an unprotected digital master file copy of this album to the consumer for any amount of money.
Yes they may sell you a 16/44 file with good DR, or they may sell you a 24/192 that has been compressed, but not a 24/192 file with good DR. This is because they are worried about piracy. There were two Pink Floyd albums released on SACD, which were protected, but I think it will be a very long time before you see an uncompressed DSD or 24/192 download version of their albums, if ever.
I may be wrong about this, or they may change their minds one day, but for right now this is how I see it. Small indie labels selling downloads of folk singers playing banjos is a different story entirely, and I don't think they represent nor set the "industry standard." When I say "industry standard" I believe I am referring to an unspoken and unwritten agreement between the big labels about how they are going to deal with the high-rez download issue. YMMV.
--------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
That is probably true but it is the lack of clarity about the product that is my concern.
A workable solution would be mine. Maybe 24/80 of good quality if that's the best they would do.
I guess it's Japanese imports! They care about music.
----------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
Methinks Cookie listens with her pocketbook, not her ears.
This is the link to article.JA wrote this up, so I don't think it's just a matter of Ms. Marenco letting money get in the way.
----------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!
Edits: 04/29/15
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: