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CD vs SACD in STEREO

I started to listen to SACD to enjoy the 5.1 format. 

I thought SACD is exclusively used for that purpose.

Today read discussion about sound quality of new/modern/ "better" CD vs Streaming vs vinyl vs SACD, where the SACD apparently was referrung to STEREO SACD. 

On a 'numbers' basis, what is the difference between CD and SACD (assume same player, etc)?

kraftwerkturbo
mahler123
4,023 posts
 

I encountered very few RCA SACDs.  I have a few of the Zinman Mahler discs and thats it.  I do have the Wand in CD, haven’t played it for years 

mahler123
4,023 posts
 

eBay lists those Wand Bruckner SACDs for around $40, when the shipping is factored in

jafant's avatar
jafant
21,611 posts
 

kraftwerkturbo

Yes, you are on the right track, as above.

 

Happy Listening!

hoodjem
67 posts
 

I found the Wand Bruckner RCA SACD at a thrift store for $2.99.

 

I buy almost all my music (LPs, CDs, SACDs) at thrift stores these days.

kraftwerkturbo OP
406 posts
 

Just a sidenote regarding DSD conversion (reposted from IA below): 

So a good low budget DSD DAC for SACD playback would be a Topping D10S, likely better than the built in DACs of my 2 receivers (see above). But how does the analog converted 5.1 signal from the SACD get to the amplifier? Does the Topping have 5.1 analog out after digital to analog conversion? 

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When looking for a DAC that processes Direct Stream Digital (DSD) natively, you are looking for a device that maintains a "True 1-bit" signal path rather than converting the DSD signal to PCM before the final analog stage.

Many modern high-end DACs support native DSD, though the method of delivery (Native vs. DoP) often depends on the operating system of your source (e.g., Windows/ASIO vs. macOS).

Top DACs with Native DSD Support (2025–2026)

DAC Model DSD Capability Key Features
iFi iDSD Phantom Up to DSD2048 Flagship "True Native" design; world’s first to reach DSD2048.
Holo Audio May (KTE) Up to DSD1024 Discrete R2R architecture with a dedicated native DSD path.
iFi NEO iDSD 2 Up to DSD512 Uses "True Native" Burr-Brown chips with separate pathways for PCM and DSD.
Gustard AH90 Up to DSD512 Features the AK4499 flagship chip known for excellent native DSD performance.
T+A DAC 200 Up to DSD1024 Features a unique "True-1Bit" DSD converter separate from the PCM converter.
Topping D10s / D70s Up to DSD256 High-value budget options that support native DSD (requires ASIO drivers on Windows).

Understanding "Native" vs. "DoP"

  • Native DSD: The pure 1-bit signal is sent directly to the DAC. This usually requires specific drivers (like ASIO on Windows) and high-bandwidth connections.

  • DoP (DSD over PCM): This is a "clever trick" where DSD data is hidden inside a PCM envelope. It is not a conversion to PCM; the original DSD data remains bit-perfect and is "unwrapped" by the DAC once it arrives. This is commonly used on macOS because the Apple Core Audio driver doesn’t support raw DSD.

  • D2P (DSD to PCM): This is a conversion. If your DAC doesn’t support DSD at all, your software will convert the file to a high-resolution PCM signal so it can play.

How to Verify Native Playback

If you want to ensure your DAC is actually playing natively:

  1. Check the Display: Many DACs (like those from iFi, Topping, or SMSL) will display "DSD" or a specific sample rate (e.g., 2.8MHz) on the screen when receiving a native signal.

  2. Signal Path: If you use software like Roon, look at the "Signal Path" icon. It will explicitly state if the signal is being sent as Native, DoP, or if it’s being converted.

  3. Hardware Database: You can reference specialized lists like the NativeDSD Database to see if your specific model uses a separate chipset for DSD.

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