Audio Basis - educational articles
DFF file (.dff extension, DSDIFF) is one of DSD (1-bit audio ♫) file formats to audiophile music and other recordings. Read below about features, quality issues, format comparisons, how to open DFF audio file: convert, play, edit.
DFF Features Quality issues (DFF vs. DSF) Quality issues (DFF vs. PCM)
DFF file players DFF file converters How to Edit DFF
![How to Open DFF File Extension [Players. Converters. Edit]](/sites/default/files/u1/what-is-dff-file-format.png "How to Open DFF File Extension [Players. Converters. Edit]")
Features of DFF file audio:
DFF format audio consists of data blocks (chunks). There are 8 standard types of chunks. [1]
Non-standard chunk may be embedded to DFF file. However, if reading application can't recognize the chunk, it is skipped.
There is absolute start time chunk, that may be useful in professional applications.
Channel number of .dff audio file is limited by abilities of channel number field in the channels chunk of the format. There is applied channel mask with reserved several channel types ("Left", "Right", etc.) and there is custom reserve range for other types of channels.
Also there is separate loudspeaker configuration chunk (optional).
DSD (uncompressed) and DST compressed sound data stored differently:
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.
Read article DSD vs DSF vs DFF Files Audio. What is difference >
DSF vs. DFF is not 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 allow 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) >
Sound quality of files defined as quantization-noise-management abilities of DSD modulator and quality of filtering in demodulator.
It is completely like to DSF vs PCM.
In general, DFF and PCM is same things. But DFF use minimal bit depth (1-bit).
But the minimal bit depth cause 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 audio signal. Thus DFF use higher sample rate.
Read details:
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.
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.
Read more about DSD players >
Read more about DFF:
Downloads
This format may be edited 3 steps:
To minimize losses, PCM 32- or 64-bit float is recommended.
Multiple or non-multiple PCM sample rate is not matter to pro audio conversion software.
Target sample rate define maximal band of musical signal.
As general recommendation, you can use PCM sample rate 174.4 or 352.8 kHz.
Read more about DSD editing here >
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