Which player can play DSD files?
What are DSD files?
DSD stands for Direct Stream Digital and is a high-resolution uncompressed audio format. It was developed in the late 1990s by Sony and Philips as a successor to PCM audio formats like CD and hi-res PCM (Wikipedia).
Unlike PCM which samples audio at regular intervals, DSD uses pulse density modulation that converts audio into a continuous stream of pulses or deltas. This allows DSD to represent audio signals at very high frequencies above 100kHz, compared to 48kHz for CD and 192kHz for hi-res PCM (Cambridge Audio).
A standard DSD recording has a sampling rate of 2.8224 MHz, which is 64 times higher than CD audio at 44.1kHz. This high sampling rate enables DSD to capture the entire audible frequency range with very high precision.
Benefits of DSD Files
DSD files offer some key benefits compared to standard PCM audio files like MP3 and CDs. The main advantage is higher fidelity and more accurate sound reproduction. DSD has an extremely high sampling rate, with DSD64 at 2.8MHz and DSD128 at 5.6MHz, compared to 44.1kHz for CD audio. This allows DSD to capture the full range of sound frequencies that humans can hear, resulting in smoother, more natural audio (Aui converter 48×44 portable). The higher 1-bit sample rate reduces quantization errors and noise that can muddy the analog waveform.
Overall, DSD’s superior technical specifications allow it to produce audio quality closer to the original analog soundwaves. This leads to richer, more textured sound with exceptional dynamics and spatial imaging. For critical listening, DSD can reveal more micro-details and nuances than standard CD audio. The format provides an immersive, lifelike listening experience on par with high-resolution studio masters (How to Convert DSD to PCM [Sound Quality Guide]). DSD matches and even exceeds the fidelity of CDs, allowing listeners to hear music as the artists and producers intended.
Limitations of DSD Files
While DSD offers some advantages in audio quality, the file format also comes with some limitations compared to more common formats like PCM. One of the biggest disadvantages of DSD files is their large file size. A DSD file will be much larger than a comparable PCM file at an equivalent bitrate and duration. For example, a 3-minute stereo DSD track at 2.8MHz will be around 150MB, whereas a 24-bit/192kHz PCM file will only be around 36MB (1). This makes DSD impractical for many applications where file size and bandwidth need to be minimized.
In addition to large file sizes, DSD files have limited compatibility and require specific hardware and software for playback. Most consumer audio equipment and software does not natively support DSD. Playback requires a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a DSD-capable chipset, which is generally only found in higher-end audiophile equipment. Computer-based playback requires software like foobar2000 or JRiver Media Center with DSD decoding plugins. The limited compatibility can make it challenging to play DSD files conveniently across multiple systems (2).
While DSD offers some potential fidelity advantages for high-resolution audio, the large file sizes and compatibility challenges limit its applications for many everyday listeners. PCM remains the dominant format for compressed digital music distribution and streaming due to its efficient encoding and universal device support.
(1) https://thepenguin.eu/2018-01-02-losslessly-compressing-dsd-files-with-wavpack/
(2) https://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/exploring-the-capability-of-cambridge-azur-851n-can-it-play-dsd-files/
DSD playback hardware
While most computers and consumer audio equipment cannot natively play back DSD files, there are some high-end hardware options that support DSD:
SACD players were some of the first devices able to play DSD files. SACD, which stands for Super Audio CD, was developed in 1999 to provide high-resolution DSD audio. Only certain SACD players that specifically support DSD audio will be able to play DSD files.
Many high-end AV receivers from brands like Marantz, Denon, and Yamaha include DSD support. These AV receivers allow DSD file playback through HDMI, USB, or network streaming. For example, the Marantz AV7705 can play DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 files.
A handful of Blu-ray players also offer DSD playback, usually through their USB port or network connection. The OPPO BDP-105 is one high-end Blu-ray player that supports DSD64 over HDMI.
While native DSD support in consumer audio equipment is limited, these specialty SACD players, AV receivers, and Blu-ray players demonstrate that high-resolution DSD playback is possible for those willing to invest in premium hardware.
DSD Software Playback
Major playback software options for DSD files on desktop computers include Foobar2000, Audirvana, JRiver Media Center, Winamp, and VLC media player. These programs allow you to play back DSD files (.dsf, .dff) natively or convert to PCM on-the-fly.
Foobar2000 is a popular free software for DSD playback. It requires the SACD decoder plugin to handle DSD files. Setup instructions are provided by DAC manufacturers like Schiit Audio (source). Foobar2000 provides an optimized audio path for bit-perfect transfer of DSD data.
Audirvana is a premium software available for Mac and Windows that focuses solely on high resolution audio playback. It has specific settings for native DSD playback and integrates with external DACs (source). Audirvana also features Dirac Live room correction.
JRiver Media Center is an all-in-one media library and playback software for Windows that handles audio, video, images, and recorded TV. It can play DSD files natively and through DoP with the proper audio device selected. The interface allows organizing a music library with rich metadata.
Winamp and VLC media player have more basic DSD support, requiring plugins and tweaks to handle high resolution formats smoothly. Overall, Foobar2000, Audirvana, and JRiver are most commonly used by audiophiles for bitperfect DSD playback.
Native DSD vs DoP
Native DSD and DSD over PCM (DoP) are two different methods for transmitting DSD audio over HDMI. The key difference lies in how the DSD data is packaged and transmitted.
With native DSD, the DSD bitstream is transmitted over HDMI in its raw format. This allows DSD to be streamed natively without any conversion. According to discussions on Audiophile Style forums, native DSD streaming over HDMI provides the purest signal path and allows DSD audio to be transmitted in its native 1-bit format for optimal fidelity (Source).
DoP takes a different approach by wrapping DSD audio data inside PCM frames. As described on PS Audio forums, this allows DSD to be transmitted over HDMI as a PCM signal, providing wider device compatibility. However, some audiophiles argue DoP results in slightly inferior sound quality versus native DSD due to the required DSD-to-PCM conversion (Source).
Overall, native DSD over HDMI provides the purest signal path while DoP improves compatibility. Audiophiles seeking the best fidelity may prefer native DSD, while those needing broader device support may opt for DoP.
Playing DSD files on mobile devices
Due to the high data rates required for DSD playback, options for mobile DSD playback are more limited than for regular PCM audio. Specialized hardware like high-end digital audio players or external DACs are usually required.
As noted in a Reddit thread, certain high-end Android smartphones like the LG V30 come with integrated DSD-capable DACs, but most devices do not support native playback. The USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) app for Android provides native DSD support on compatible devices.
For iPhone users, options are even more limited without additional hardware since iOS does not support USB DACs. A high-end digital audio player with DSD support from companies like Sony or Astell&Kern may be the only native DSD playback option for iPhones.
Converting DSD to PCM
Converting DSD files to PCM can allow the files to be played on more devices, but it comes with some downsides. DSD files contain higher frequency information above 22.05 kHz which gets lost when converted to PCM audio which is limited to 48kHz (See Roon article on DSD to PCM conversion). So there will be some loss of audio quality and detail when converting DSD to PCM formats like WAV and FLAC.
Some audio players like foo_dsp_sacd allow DSD files to be converted to PCM on the fly for compatibility purposes. However, this real-time conversion is very CPU intensive and can introduce audible distortions or glitches during playback if the computer’s processor is not powerful enough (See discussion on Audiophile Style forums). So native DSD playback is still preferred whenever possible to preserve audio fidelity.
If DSD files need to be converted to PCM, offline conversion is recommended instead using a high quality software converter to avoid playback issues. However the loss of high frequency information above 22kHz still remains, so critical listeners may want to avoid conversion altogether if their playback system supports native DSD files.
Future of DSD
The future of DSD audio seems promising even though it is still considered a niche audio format. According to DSD Audio: Debunking Myths And Grasping The Reality, advancements in technology and increased consumer awareness of high-resolution audio are expected to continue driving demand for DSD. There is increasing support for DSD playback on audio devices and software, though it has yet to reach widespread adoption.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an emerging technology that allows for high-resolution streaming while optimizing file sizes. MQA-encoded files can contain DSD data in a compressed format. This could potentially boost accessibility and popularity of DSD audio. However, some audiophiles argue lossless DSD provides superior sound quality over compressed DSD via MQA. The impact of MQA on the future landscape of DSD remains to be seen.
While still a niche, DSD retains a loyal following among hi-fi enthusiasts seeking the highest audio fidelity. Continued hardware and software support along with high-resolution streaming solutions like MQA suggest DSD will likely carve out a place in the future high-end audiophile market. However, it seems unlikely to completely displace the more widely supported PCM format anytime soon.
Conclusion
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) audio files offer incredibly high-resolution sound quality that surpasses CD or even HD audio. The benefits include superior fidelity, dynamic range, and realism compared to other digital formats. However, DSD has some limitations – the file sizes are very large, and compatibility with playback devices is still limited compared to more common formats like MP3 or AAC.
For listening to DSD files, you’ll need hardware that supports native DSD decoding, such as certain high-end AV receivers, standalone DACs, and some portable music players. Software playback is possible too using DoP (DSD over PCM) but this doesn’t provide the full benefits of native DSD playback. Overall DSD is still a niche audiophile format, but it provides an unrivaled listening experience for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of digital music reproduction.
If you’re looking for the very best sound quality and have playback devices that support DSD, then DSD audio files are highly recommended. For most mainstream listeners, converting DSD to PCM may be preferable for wider device compatibility. However, DSD fidelity is improving as more manufacturers adopt native support, so it’s a format worth considering for the ultimate listening experience.