DSD

Overview

DSD is the format used for Super Audio CD's. Please see the article on DSD at Wikpedia more information.

Playback

By default, DSD will be converted to PCM for playback.

The DSD to PCM conversion process converts from 1-bit DSD to 64-bit PCM at 1/8th of the sample rate. The total amount of data from this conversion grows by 8x, so the process is effectively lossless / perfect.

Once you have PCM, it will be 64bit @ 352.8 kHz for DSD, and 64bit @ 705.6 kHz for DSD 2x.

It is rare for hardware to support these high sample rates, so downsampling is required. The option 'Greater than 192kHz' in DSP Studio > Output Format is what is used. There is no way to configure DSD 1x and DSD 2x independently.

A low pass filter at 30 kHz with a 24 dB/octave slope is used to remove the (basically) pink noise present in the upper frequency with DSD.

Bitstreaming

It is possible to bitstream DSD to certain DACs. This bypasses the DSD to PCM conversion.

There are multiple DSD bitstreaming technologies.

ASIO 2.2

This uses the native DSD bitstreaming support built into ASIO 2.2. The ASIO driver for your DAC must support it.

DAC's that support DSD over ASIO include: Playback Designs

ASIO 2.2 requires Media Center 17.0.4 or newer.

To bitstream using this method:

• Select 'ASIO' in Options > Audio > Output mode (and configure 'Output mode settings...' as necessary)
• Select Options > Audio > Bitstreaming > Custom... and check _only_ 'DSD' (in MC17 and earlier, Bitstreaming is under Options > Video)

DSD over PCM (DoP)

DSD over PCM packs DSD into a PCM-like signal for bitstreaming. This works in a similar way to how AC3 is packed into a PCM-like signal for S/PDIF surround sound output.

JRiver was part of formation of the DoP standard.

DSD over PCM requires Media Center 17.0.106 or newer.

To bitstream using this method:

• Select 'WASAPI - Event Style' in Options > Audio > Output mode (and configure 'Output mode settings...' as necessary)
• Select Options > Audio > Bitstreaming > Custom... and check _only_ 'DSD over PCM (DoP)' (in MC17 and earlier, Bitstreaming is under Options > Video)
• Customize the 'DoP Format' if you have an older device that does not support the DoP standard

Notes

The option to configure bitstreaming is under 'Video' with MC17 and earlier because bitstreaming was traditionally a video option. This was changed for MC18, and bitstreaming is configured in Options > Audio.

With DoP, you can pick the marker format. New hardware will use DoP 1.0 (0xFA/0x05). Older hardware may use the 0xAA marker format.

You can learn more about Audio Output Modes here: Audio Output Modes

DSD Sources

Blue Coast Records

Channel Classics Records

http://www.ps3sacd.com/dsd_downloads.html

Ripping from SACD

This can't be done with a normal PC. It is possible using an original Sony PS3. Here's a thread at ComputerAudiophile.

More Information

SACD and ISO

Mytek instructions