DFF File Extension [How to open? Players Converters]

Audio Basis - articles about audio

DFF file extension (.dff, DSDIFF) is one of DSD (1-bit audio) file formats to audiophile music and other recordings. Read below about features, sound quality, format comparisons, how to open DFF audio file: convert, play, edit.

Watch and share: How to convert DFF to DSF

Watch and share: What is DSD audio? Definitive explanation

DFF Features

Features of DFF file audio:

Sample rates: 2.8 (D64), 5.6 (D128), 11.2 (D256), 22.5 (D512), 45.2 (D1024), ... MHz (read more below)
Bit-depth: 1 bit [1]
Modulation type: sigma delta modulation (a.k.a. DSD)
Compression type: noncompressed / DST
Channel number: 1 ... [2^16-1] (see below)
Metadata: only as non-standard chunk (see below)

Read more:

DSD audio format >

DSD vs. DSF vs. DFF >

Structure

DFF format audio consists of data blocks (chunks). There are 8 standard types of chunks. [1]

A non-standard chunk may be embedded into DFF file. However, if reading application can't recognize the chunk, it is skipped.

There is the absolute-start-time chunk, that may be useful in professional applications.

Channel number

Channel number of .dff audio file is limited by abilities of the channel-number field in the channels chunk of the format. There is channel mask with reserved several channel types ("Left", "Right", etc.) is applied. And there is custom reserve range for other types of channels.

Also, there is a separate loudspeaker-configuration chunk (optional).

Audio data

DSD (uncompressed) and DST compressed sound data stored differently:

DSD sound data is stored as a single chunk;
DST sound data is stored as information chunk and frames (data and frame CRC chunks).

Metadata

Metadata (track, album names, performer, artwork, etc.) chunk may be added to DFF as non-standard chunk (data block). But only application, that can recognize the metadata block, will read and display it.

Quality issues (DFF versus DSF)

Read article DSD vs DSF vs DFF Files Audio. What is difference >

DSF vs. DFF is not a complex matter. Because both formats are very similar.

Comparison DFF and DSF

Feature	DSF	DFF
Audio content	Binary identical to DFF	Binary identical to DSF
Lossless compression	no	DST
Sample rate	DSD64, DSD128, DSD256,...	DSD64, DSD128, DSD256,...
Bit depth	1	1
Multichannel	Yes	Yes
Metadata	Standard way	Non-standard data block, can cause compatibility issues

DFF and DSF are binary identical as DSD data storage.

DSF allows to save metadata standard way (DSF audio player applications capable read it, as rule).

Multibit DSD samples are not so important for sound quality. Read more about bit depth and sample rate >

Both formats allow flexible configuration for multichannel files.

Warning: some software can convert DSF to DFF or back with audio modifications (non-bit-perfect mode). So checking of every converting tool is recommended.

Read about comparison DSD files (infographic) >

Quality issues (DFF versus PCM)

The sound quality of files defined as quantization-noise-management abilities of DSD modulator and quality of filtering in the demodulator.

It is completely like to DSF vs PCM.

In general, DFF and PCM is the same things. But DFF uses minimal bit depth (1-bit).

The minimal bit depth causes minimal dynamic range. To expand the dynamic range noise shaping (pushing noise energy out of audible frequency band) is used.

But pushing the energy demands reserve of the total frequency band of an audio signal. Thus, DFF use a higher sample rate.

Watch and share: DSD vs FLAC comparison

Read details:

How do I play DFF files

Audirvana (Mac)
Amarra (Mac, Windows)
Foobar 2000 (Windows)
JRiver (Mac, Windows, Linux)

DFF file audio players can transmit sound stuff into 1-bit DSD DAC as is. Also, DFF file may be converted inline ("on fly") to PCM for playback at PCM DAC.

Look at DSD player software list >

Check DSD music site download list (also FREE downloads there) >

Read atricles about DACs >

PCM to DSD conversion and DSD to PCM cause quality losses.

Alternatively, DFF file may be pre-converted to PCM offline (non-realtime) via audio converter software. Offline conversion is not limited by time of CPU calculations and "heavy" precise algorithms may be used.

Also, some DFF player compatibility issues are known: channel number, metadata artwork size or other.

For audio players, that are stereo capable only, conversion multichannel DFF 5.1 to stereo is used.