Why DSD Sounds More Like Analog Audio: NativeDSD Founders Explain

Comments · 33

• ST

  @statonra · 2 months ago

  Electrical engineer here. I like that this discussion had some technical details. I didn't hear anything that was not true, though some of it could be in the realm of being subjective or opinion. Many modern analog the digital converters actually use a multi-bit form of DSD, which puts it in sort of a gray area between DSD and PCM. I think rather than debating whether DSD is "better than PCM," a better place to look is: 1. The low pass filters in the entire audio chain. 2. The amount of ultrasonic spectrum that gets recorded and reproduced. Both of those things can vary with either PCM or DSD. Though it is easier for DSD to win in both categories if you're talking about the higher rate versions like DSD 256 and up. I realize of course people can't really hear tones much over 20 kHz. But I've done my own AB testing and I can hear the difference between DSD and CD. So there's definitely something to be said in favor of high resolution audio, though it's not the night and day difference you have between a lousy cassette tape and a CD.

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• MO

  @morrishawkins512 · 9 months ago

  I enjoy the reviews and interviews you guys create. Moon Audio rocks!

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• CA

  @carlossilva-m3k1x · 4 months ago

  Interesting video.    Thx so much

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• EM

  @EMMLabs.MeitnerAudio · 4 months ago

  Great conversation! Happy I stumbled across this today.

• GE

  @georgemaxwell3997 · 3 weeks ago

  The Nyquist theorem shows that a CD is completely equivalent to an analogue recording. Using DSD makes no difference except for increasing your file size. On many occasions, &quot;audiophiles&quot; were given a blind test and could not tell a CD apart from anything higher, and maybe not even a 320kbps MP3. <br>Listen to more music instead of this minute nitpicking.

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• JO

  @JoeFritz-u5q · 4 months ago

  I&apos;d love to hear a DSD1024 or 2048.

• EX

  @exotikification · 9 months ago (edited)

  I am sad to see that only 3 car&apos;s receivers or autoradios supports the DSD, and they are unavailable for years, out of stock. The converters mostly uses PCM to DSD which compress a bit the signal. Unfortunately.

• ST

  @stephenharding428 · 6 months ago

  Thank you that was extremely informative and enjoyable. Probably the best description of DSD I’ve heard. Thanks again

• UN

  @Unknownunknowable45 · 1 month ago (edited)

  What’s the future for DSD? <br>SSL recently released the Odyssey digitally controlled analog console. This takes all the work of the workstation and puts it in the console. That mixed with proper analog outboard gear and effects like plate reverb, You could get a pretty serious production in Pure DSD…<br>But, as far as a workstation, other than Pyramix, there is Sonoma. Sonoma actually uses “Dsd wide” a multi bit sigma delta process for internal signal processing “editing etc..” within the workstation . Not DXD like the Pyramix… then Sonoma uses a single bit Sigma delta for the DAC/playback.<br>I bring this up because it seems to me all conversations surround the consumer/playback end of this equation. I’d love to hear people discussing how we can bring attention to updating and innovating the <br>production side of DSD.

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• MI

  @Michael-i6t7d · 9 months ago (edited)

  Is native DSD more of what you do not hear? Listening fatigue between 2-4 khz and again up higher with certain poorer dac implimintations on most PCM recordings. Especially with very detailed speakers and modern day low distortion amps.

• PA

  @PasAzh-s6d · 9 days ago

  One could buy DSD tracks from NativeDSD— not anymore. You have niw to buy the whole album, even if you don’t like them all. On other hand, in Kobus you can buy tracks, but not only their DSD files are limited but the price of each HiRes is too high

• CH

  @chungang7037 · 9 months ago

  There is this crazy technology out there called EQ. Bump down the treble and even midrange until you find that smooth vinyl warmth you been chasing since your parents complained about cds being tinny in the 80s.

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