DSD Player DSF/DFF/SACD ISO. Windows Mac Linux Android iOS

 

 

1. HibyMusic
   Android, iOS
   Free
   DSF, DFF (including DST), ISO
    
   DXD/DoP
    
    
2. Hi-Res music player-NePLAYER
   iOS
   Commercial
   DSF, DFF
   up to DSD256
   DSD to PCM, DoP
   Check DSD replay issues at online store page.
    
3. HYSOLID
   Android, iOS
   Free
    
    
    
   Music server control application.
    
4. Neutron Music Player
   Android, iOS
   Commercial
    
    
   UPnP / DLNA, USB DAC, DoP, DSD to PCM
   There is evaluation version "Neutron Music Player (Eval)" on Android.
    
5. Onkyo HF Player
   Android, iOS
   Free, Commercial
   DSF, DFF
   up to DSD256
   AOA 2.0, DoP, DSD to PCM
   Some limitations of free version.
    
6. TEAC HR Audio Player
   Android, iOS
    
   DSF, DFF
   up to DSD256
   DoP, DSD to PCM
   There are DSD limitations of free version.
    
7. USB Audio Player PRO
   Android
   Commercial
    
    
   DoP, DSD to PCM, native DSD playback
    
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DSD Digital Audio Player (DAP) device list

 

 

 

 

Read more about mobile device connections to DSD playback here.

 

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How to play DSD files

DSD files are a special type of music files that offer high-quality sound. But not all devices or software can play them. You need special DFF or DSF file players to enjoy the best sound quality on your computer or phone.

One option is to use a Digital Audio Player (DAP). This is a device that is made for playing music only. Some of them can play physical SACDs. SACDs are type of high-quality music discs that use DSD technology.

Another option is to use a computer, mobile phone, or tablet with installed player software.

Most devices have a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC). This is a part that turns digital signals into sound. However, you can also use an external DAC unit, a speaker, or a receiver that has a digital input.

Before you play DSD files, you need to set up your software correctly.

There are two types of DACs:

• DSD and
• PCM.

DSD DACs are better for playing DSD files, but PCM DACs are more common.

The way you play DSD files depends on the type of DAC you have.

• If you have a PCM DAC, you need to convert your DSD files into PCM files first. Some software can do this for you as you play.
• If you have a DSD DAC, you can play your DSD files directly or use a special method called DoP.

Can regular phones play DSD files? Yes, they can. However, you need to use quality headphones or speakers, and equipment to hear the difference.

Want to learn an example of how to play DSD files with a free software program? Check out How to play DSD with foobar2000 >

Read more to find out more details about DSD files and how to play them.

 

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Try out DSD player with free music

DSD player plays high-quality music files. You can download some free music files to test how it sounds:

• DSD 64,
• DSD 128,
• DSD 256,
• DSD 512,
• DSD 1024,
• more samples.

 

 

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How do I get the best sound quality on my computer?

You can get the best sound quality on your computer / laptop on Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile device on Android, iOS, when you:

• reduce weak places of the audio-signal path and
• your DAC works in optimal resolution.

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How to make your computer sound better?

You can make your computer or smartphone sound better on any system, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS. You just need to do two things:

• avoid anything that can make the sound weaker or worse, and
• use a good part called a DAC that can turn digital signals into sound in the best way.

 

What is bit-perfect mode

Bit-perfect mode (native DSD playback) is a way of playing music files without changing them. It keeps the original sound quality.

 

DSD files are a special type of music files that bring high sound quality. You can play them in bit-perfect mode on a some device or software that supports DSD. This device or software should be connected to dedicated DSD DAC.

The DSD DAC should be able to handle the speed of the music file. The speed is called the sampling rate.

Example: A DSD1024 file has a very high speed. You cannot play it in bit-perfect mode on a DSD DAC that can only handle up to DSD256 speed.

 

What is gapless playback

Some music albums have no pauses between songs. They are called uninterrupted albums. Examples are operas and live concerts.

If you play an uninterrupted album with pauses, it can sound bad. Also, you can hear clicks at the start and end of each song.

Gapless playback is a way of playing an uninterrupted album without pauses. It makes the album sound smooth and continuous.

If you change the format of an uninterrupted album, it can also sound bad. You can get artefacts at the start and end of each song. To avoid this, you can use a special method called True Gapless conversion.

 

Offline conversion mode

With bit-perfect mode, you can also play music files that you have changed before. For example, you can change a PCM file into a DSD file. This is called offline conversion.

Offline conversion has some benefits. It does not use extra power or time to change the music file while playing. It also saves electricity.

 

Many devices can play music with headphones. But some music files have more than two "dimensions". They are called multichannel files.

If you play a multichannel file on a device with stereo headphones, it can mix the channels together. This is called downmixing to stereo. Downmixing can make the music sound worse or not. It depends on how well the device does it.

Also, multichannel files take up more space on the device. You can save space by changing them to two-sound files before playing. This is called offline downmixing.

If you play a music file on a mobile device without changing it or with little change, it has some benefits. It can:

1. save battery life;
2. make the device work longer;
3. leave more time and power for other apps.

 

Inline conversion mode

DSD and PCM files may be played back with inline (real-time, "on-fly") altering of audio content:

• with DSD resampling;
• with room correction;
• with conversion DSD to PCM on PCM DAC.

 

 

 

This mode allows saving time for pre-converting of various audio files to the best sounding mode of DAC. But each playback can consume big computing resources for resolution conversion and other processing.

Real-time playback conversion DSD to PCM on mobile devices consumes additional battery charge and part of the device's CPU performance. It can cause a lesser time for autonomous work and reduce the response of other (non-player) applications.

 

 

Offline conversion of audio files gives a longer battery life. Because a mobile device performs a lesser calculation number.

Also pre-downmix, pre-conversion DSD to PCM, pre-downsampling save free space on the hard disk of the mobile device.

 

 

Can computer and mobile phone play DSD? DAC interfaces

In the part the consider how to use computer or mobile phone hardware to playback DSD.

Mobile phones and many laptops contains ordinary PCM DAC.

Some player software are capable to convert DSD to PCM "on fly" (in real-time). Processing time may impact to sound quality. So real-time conversion may have lack of computing resources to implement more accurate algorithm.
Also, "heavy" algorithms extensively consume battery energy.

Alternatively, you can pre-convert DSD files to PCM (FLAC, WAV, etc.) offline.
If sound quality difference between inline and offline conversion is there, you can play pre-convenverted files back.
Pre-conversion allows to save battery energy.
If mobile phone is not capable multichannel playback in earphones,  it can downmix it to stereo in real-time. But, multichannel files waste the phone memory for all channels instead 2 channels that are actually need to physical listening. Such files may be pre-downmixed to stereo offline.

To DSD playback (including bit-perfect) under Windows, DAC may be connected to an audio player via ASIO driver or DoP protocol.

Also, WASAPI (with DoP) interface may be used to playback (including bit-perfect).

DoP is the special open protocol for coding DSD into a pseudo-PCM audio stream. The stream cannot be played back as PCM.

To DSD playback under Mac, DAC may be connected to an audio player via DoP protocol.

 

Read more:

• PCM and DSD DACs >
• NOS DACs >

 

What is the best DSD player

In audiophile application, the players are compared by sound quality.

If the player has bit-perfect mode and used DAC support played file resolution, sound quality is the same for such players.

But, if an audio resolution is altered or EQ is used, then applied processing quality is a matter.

In general, the best DSD player with processing should cause minimal distortions.

Also kind of distortions may be matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. play files

 

What is DSD player?

DSD player is a device or software, that capable to play audiophile format Direct Stream Digital. It may be provides as SACD optical disks or computer files.

Look at DSD player list...

 

What is DSD music file?

DSD audio files are files, capable to contains DSD audio content: DSF, DFF, SACD ISO and DoP FLAC, WAV, etc. Read details here...

 

What is DFF audio file?

DFF file is one of DSD files. Its audio data content is identical to DSF by sound quality. Read DFF file details here...

 

How do I open DFF file?

DFF file is may be opened with the software...

 

What is SACD ISO?

SACD ISO is audio file ripped from SACD optical disk.

Read more...

 

What is DSF audio file?

Read DSF file quick guide here...

 

How do I open a DSF file?

Read how to open DSF file...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio quality

 

Is DSD better than FLAC?

It is a matter of recording quality and playback tool implementation. Read about DSD and FLAC comparison...

 

Is DSD audio worth it?

Probably, you heard that Direct Stream Digital is good-quality audio. DSD allows simplifying a playback system and solves some issues of an analog filter of ADC and DAC, theoretically. But implementation of the system makes actual result. See more...

 

Is DSD the best audio format?

DSD have as advantages as disadvantages comparing alternative audio formats. Read details...

 

Which is best format for audio?

Many audio formats intersect by features and can replace each another. Read more which format is the best..

 

What is the highest quality audio file?

As rule, it is lossless files in high resolution (WAV, FLAC, DSF, DFF, SACD, SACD ISO and others).

Read details...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. Direct Stream Digital

 

Is DSD dead?

No. DSD music is produced and sold now.

Listen to:

• DSF music samples...
• DSD music download site list...

 

Is DSD a SACD?

SACD is optical disk format that contains DSD audio. Read details...

 

Where can I download FLAC songs for free?

You can download high-quality (high-resolution) music from the download resources into the list here...

 

 

Where can I download DSD for free?

You can get DSD files to listening at online websites.

Download .dsf files for free...

Also, check out these download sites...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio players

 

 

What is a DSD player?

Player, which can play DSD, is computer software or device, that play DSD files or SACD optical disk.

Read more...

 

Can you play DSD without a DAC?

Do you want to know need a DAC for DSD? Then we have good news. You can listen to DSD without dedicated DAC.
To listen DSD files on computer or mobile device without DSD DAC, you can:

• use proper audio player, or
• convert DSD files to PCM ones.

 

What is native DSD support?

DSD files may be played back 3 ways:

1. on-fly conversion DSD to PCM, and playback on PCM DAC (in PCM mode of the DAC);
2. offline conversion DSD to PCM with conversion software, and playback on PCM DAC (in PCM mode of the DAC);
3. transmit DSD audio stuff to DSD DAC to playback.

Option #3 is called "native DSD support". DSD may be transmitted via ASIO driver or as DoP.

 

How do I listen to DSD files?

You can play DSD files (.dsf and .dff) different ways. DSD files may be natively listened to with DSD DAC and compatible player software or DAP.

To playback at PCM DAC, DSD files and be previously converted to FLAC, WAV, AIFF and other PCM formats.

To play .dsf files on Mac and Windows, you can use DSD players...

Also, you can optimize sound quality...

 

How do I listen to DSD audio?

DSD audio may be purchased on SACD disks or music files.

There are many media players that allows listening to DSD audio in all these formats.

Computer allows playing DSD files only.

Also, you can pre-convert DSD to PCM audio formats, and listen to it om more common PCM DAC.

Read also: How to improve sound quality...

 

Can VLC play DSF?

Looks like, VLC can't play DSF. Current state is here...

Anyway, you can use conversion DSF files to FLAC ones instead.

Read more...

 

Can Plex play DSD files?

Looks like, the Plex media server converts DSD to PCM "on fly" (discussion).

Alternatively, you can pre-convert DSD to FLAC and listen to converted files on this server software.

 

Can Windows 10 play DSD?

To play DSD audio files on Windows 10, use audio players. Read details here...

 

How do I play DSD files on Windows 10, 11?

Both Windows 10 and 11 support Hi-Res Audio. Audio files in DSD format can be played on Windows 10 with music software player. Read more...

 

 

How can I play DSD files on my PC?

You can play DSD files on your PC with audio player software.

Also, DSD DAC may required.

Read more...

 

Can Android play DSD?

Yes. There are Android player software that can play DSD files. See here...

 

Is there a DAC app for Android?

No. A DAC is hardware always. It can contains firmware (built-in) software.

However, an audio player can provide inline conversion to used DAC mode (DSD or PCM).

Alternatively, and audio file format may be converted offline via a audio converted software...

 

How do I listen to high resolution audio on Android?

You can play high-resolution audio on Android via phone's earbuds/headphone output ar connect portable DAC with amplifier.
See list of hi-res audio player software here...

 

Can Android play lossless?

You can play to lossless music file on Android music player software...

 

How do I play DSF files with foobar2000?

Yes, you can. Read foobar2000 DSD playback guide here...

 

Can Windows Media Player play DSD files?

No. Windows Media Player can't play DSD (DSF and DFF files). But, you can use other software...

 

How do I play DSF files on Foobar?

You can play DSF file on Foobar with this guide...

 

How do I play DFF files?

DFF files are played back via audio player software...

 

How do I play SACD ISO file?

You can open and play SACD ISO files at hardware and software players.

However, SACD ISO may contain stereo and multichannel album variants. And it consumes additional place at hardware player.

You can extract SACD ISO to DSD or PCM files. Your choice PCM vs DSD is a matter of your music player and hardware ability.

See more:

1. Software to playback SACD ISO files...
2. Play SACD ISO on foobar2000...
3. How to choose target format...

 

Does VLC play DSD files?

As the author know, VLC can't play DSD files. Read details...

 

Can Audirvana play ISO?

Audirvana software can play SACD ISO files.

 

Can Audirvana play SACD ISO?

Yes. Audirvana is capable to play SACD ISO files [discussion].

 

Does Foobar play ISO? Can Foobar play ISO?

Foobar2000 software can play SACD ISO files. Read more...

 

Can MusicBee play DSD files?

As it's written in this source, MusicBee software can play DSD files.

However, you can use DSD to PCM (FLAC, WAV, mp3) offline conversion instead. Read more...

 

How do I play a SACD file on my PC?

To play SACD ISO file you can use DSD audio player software.

 

What is the best audio player for Mac?

Best audio player for Mac is individual choice. Here you can read general recommendations...

 

How can I listen to hi res music on my Mac?

To listen hi-res music on Mac use hifi audio players...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. convert audio

 

 

How do I convert DSF to FLAC?

Read about conversion DSF to FLAC here...

 

How do I convert DSF to mp3?

Read about conversion DSF to mp3 here...

 

Is DSF better than FLAC?

DSF is DSD audio file format. Read more...

FLAC is PCM audio format. Read more...

Read about comparison DSF and FLAC...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio streaming

 

 

Is Tidal a DSD?

No. Tidal doesn't stream DSD, on moment the aswer the question. Read about DSD streaming...

 

Does Qobuz have DSD?

No. Quobuz does not stream DSD. Check out DSD streaming...

 

 

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