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DSD converted to PCM vs Original PCM

Hello, I am adding to my digital high res music collection. My current DAC does not decode DSD. I bought a handful of DSD downloads, and I converted them with an app made for Mac called DSD Master.  I also have a copy of JRiver which can handle this.

The idea is that if the DSD to PCM conversion is as good as an original PCM file, buying a DSD file may be more future proof.  I may be changing DACs eventually.

Can anyone comment on the quality of an original PCM high res file versus a DSD file, converted to PCM?

thanks!
marktomaras

Showing 1 response by melm

melm
1,057 posts
 
I don't think the Oppo 105 (or even later) will do that either.

The 105 manual says:
Input:
USB Audio: up to 2ch/192kHz PCM.
Coaxial/Optical Audio: up to 2ch/96kHz PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, AAC.

That’s one of the reasons I added a separate DAC to my system, to play SACD rips and .dsf files, as well as for better SQ generally.

Re: the OP. That may very well depend on how the original recording was made. Some were made in PCM and converted to DSD for download or to transfer to SACD. Others, often from an analog source, are pure DSD. Generally DSD files cannot be edited.
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