Is DSD download already an extinct format?

I think you guys are being unfair. Digital has come a long way since 44/16 was released. High definition is definitely superior. Sony with 40% of all existing master tapes has a real issue namely all the tapes are deteriorating and their solution is to put them into digital. Apparently, their choice is quad DSD, I am told.

So in reality, soon you will be able, I hope, to get master tapes for your personal use. Unfortunately, they are, I'm told, using a device that converts analog into quad DSD that has many opamps in it thus harming the quality of the recording. Probably they just could not wait any longer.

These files will be very large which is okay as I have 4 terabyte drives, but it does probably mean that only high speed internet downloads will allow your getting these. I have heard double DSD recordings and they are definitely superior.

Melbguy, what does the "new white bread" mean? Good or bad?

Tomcy6, I'm glad to read what you say, but I think now SONY and every corporation is concerned only with the bottom line. But I do hope like you that the SONY Quad DSDs will see public availability or at least double DSD will be available. I should say that I have many of my SACDs in DSD on my music server and can play them as double DSD. They are clearly better than the SACDs played on a universal player.

Phasecorrect, There is a good deal of interest in native DSD especially at the pro level and in doing recording. I have listened to 192/24 PCM versus double DSD of the same material using SACDs as the source and double DSD wins hands down.

SONY does have a poor record but also owns 40% of master tapes. If they make their quad DSD at a good price and somehow distribute it, I think they will be an audiophile's friend.

Mapman, I have been enjoying dramatic improvements in my audio reproductions the last several years. This has many roots but I will not bore you with them. What has happened is that I am getting realism that I never thought was possible and I have learned how fragile that realism is.

When I play the double DSD version, I hear the decay of notes that are absent when I listen to the PCM 192 version. And there more detail in general. It may not be dramatic but it is thrilling and, I thought, impossible.

Phasecorrect, the hybrid layer on most SACDs in DSD on a music server are far superior to those played a universal player. It is all the crap that SONY added to the DSD.

Gareneau, I must say that I am repeating a pro guy who is at the edge of the art. He says that Sony and Philips devised a way to put copy protection on DSD recordings in doing their SACDs. He merely undoes this effort, as Playstation 3 allowed to get back to the DSD information. I compared a universal player playing SACDs to what I had on my music server by him playing the DSD that he had gotten off those same SACDs. There was much greater clarity and transparency.

Finally, as to why Sony is getting DSD out mainly on old recordings is that those tapes are deteriorating and approaching being lost. I have heard much discussion that all Sony's master tapes will be captured on quad DSD digital media.