DACs that excel at DSD playback (other than Lampi GG)?

abeidrov · Dec 10, 2017

Guys, I am now listening to Aqua Formula, although not the latest xHD version. The PCM performance is top notch. This is the first DAC I heard, that has the same vast 3D soundstage as Lampi DACs.
But the DSD performance, I don’t know, I feel that something is lacking even in comparison to my L4. Anyway, I plan to try the xHD version and hopefully it’s DSD performance is much improved. The description of the Formula update states: “Sample rate in “Bit Perfect” up to 768 kHz PCM and quad rate DSD (DSD256)”. Does anyone know what they mean by “bit perfect”? Is it a simple change to enable playback in higher DSD256 rate, or they’ve changed the way DSD format is handled by the dac? The older Formula converted DSD signal to PCM. I wonder if it’s still the case with the xHD version.

Lee · Dec 23, 2017

I would like to hear the Formula.

abeidrov said:
Guys, I am now listening to Aqua Formula, although not the latest xHD version. The PCM performance is top notch. This is the first DAC I heard, that has the same vast 3D soundstage as Lampi DACs.
But the DSD performance, I don’t know, I feel that something is lacking even in comparison to my L4. Anyway, I plan to try the xHD version and hopefully it’s DSD performance is much improved. The description of the Formula update states: “Sample rate in “Bit Perfect” up to 768 kHz PCM and quad rate DSD (DSD256)”. Does anyone know what they mean by “bit perfect”? Is it a simple change to enable playback in higher DSD256 rate, or they’ve changed the way DSD format is handled by the dac? The older Formula converted DSD signal to PCM. I wonder if it’s still the case with the xHD version.

Bso · Dec 25, 2017

My wife states DSD or SACDs recordings of familiar and unfamiliar music converted to PCM sound "uncomfortable".

Legolas · Dec 26, 2017

Bso said:
My wife states DSD or SACDs recordings of familiar and unfamiliar music converted to PCM sound "uncomfortable".

This is an interesting topic. It seems most DACs use a different digital board entirely to really handle DSD. I am wondering if that is the case, it is a kind of patch up job using a digital engine to try and do both? Quite possibly a user then needs to decide which is more important, the best possible PCM with some DSD thrown is as an occasional thing, or go all out for a top DSD dedicated machine. That in my case would not work. I would have to own 2 DACs to know I was getting the best of both those formats.

But I am open to be convinced it can be done at the required level on the one DAC, which is what we are trying to find out in this thread.

Bruce B · Dec 26, 2017

astrostar59 said:
This is an interesting topic. It seems most DACs use a different digital board entirely to really handle DSD.

Not only that, but it's the algorithm that is used to convert DSD->PCM. This can easily be done using different sample rate converters and filters (ie; linear phase, minimum phase, etc....)

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DACs that excel at DSD playback (other than Lampi GG)?

abeidrov

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Lee

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Bso

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Legolas

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Bruce B

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