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SACD Player vs SACD Transport to use the D. Bob a/k/a Digital Breakout Box

Seeking the ability to hear the DSD layer of an SACD.  The current standard is PCM.  I have read that there is a legal invention called the Digital Break Out Box which allows the user to hear but not copy the DSD layer. Only interested in listening, not copying.  It is called the D. Bob and the seller sells same at geerfab.com. My reading says if you wish to use a SACD transport and hear the DSD layer and you wish to connect to an external DAC then the transport must have an HDMI out. Do any SACD transports have this HDMI.  Thought HDMI was only for televisions and not high end audio. I f I purchase a SACD player, do I still need the Geer Fab Box in order to hear the DSD layer of the SACD. In short, will I need the box in all cases? IF I am incorrect about any of my assertions, would welcome any constructive criticism.

 

kjl1065
big_greg
6,821 posts
 

Well, it doesn’t say specifically that it is passing the DSD layer, but if your DAC says it is then that’s a valid indicator. If many more people learn of these devices I have to believe the D.BOB’s value is going to plummet. Maybe they’re technically illegal and flying under the radar? I don’t know, but I actually like the outputs better on this device than the D.BOB. You’ve got a direct I2S output in addition to the coax and optical that the D.BOB has. 

Don't think there's anything "illegal" about playing music from media you've purchased. If you're copying it, that's when you get into copyright infringement. 

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,362 posts
 

I have had several SACD players over the years.  The latest are Reavon and Sony universal disk devices.  The Sony is a pure transport with two HDMI outputs.

The Reavon might as well be a transport because its dacs are unsuitable for DSD - it converts to CD quality.  But it also has two HDMI outputs.

You can choose the CD layer, or either two-channel or multi-channel DSD which are not converted to PCM.

Never a problem with HDMI which can transport just about every high-res audio format in multi-channel glory.  It was designed as much for audio as for video and can shift 48-Gbps - going to 96-Gbps.  Try that with I2S

samberger0357's avatar
samberger0357
6 posts
 

I already play my SACD's with a Sony UBP-X700 Blu Ray player connected via HDMI to my Denon X4300 AVR. Considering buying the D.Bob to use with my Denafrips DAC. I'm still trying to figure out if I'll hear much/any improvement. 

big_greg
6,821 posts
 

I already play my SACD's with a Sony UBP-X700 Blu Ray player connected via HDMI to my Denon X4300 AVR. Considering buying the D.Bob to use with my Denafrips DAC. I'm still trying to figure out if I'll hear much/any improvement. 

You may not hear much difference with an AVR. 

 

benzman's avatar
benzman
446 posts
 

I use my Oppo 103 over HDMI into a T+A Dac 200.Works perfect. Would definitely try to avoid the BOB. Just another box and set of cords you really don’t need. Unless you are going to go with a high quality SACD transport all these universal players are just for convenience. The Sq will not be a big jump till you experience a high quality transport. 
I auditioned a Teac 701 T  Redbook transport and it’s a toss up vs the Oppo playing the SACD layer.  
Would look at the Shanling Onix but not sure it would be compatible with the HDMI card of the T+A. 

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