DSD Converter Software [PCM to/from DSD audio 2023]

Purchase AuI ConverteR PROduce-RD before 6 December 2023*
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Convert audio files for mobile phone, tablet, dap, car, dac, smart tv, music server, computer

¹ If you buy first core module (2023/12.x version) of your "AuI ConverteR Modula-R" module kit from 24 August 2023 to 24 October 2023, you will get free update to version 2024 (13.x) after its release for all modules that are bought from 24 August 2023 to 24 October 2023.
 If you buy "AuI ConverteR PROduce-RD" (2023/12.x version) from 24 August 2023 to 24 October 2023, you will get free update to version 2024 (13.x) after its release.

DSD converter is software to convert Direct Stream Digital audio files to or from other formats. DSD sound files have extensions DSF, DFF, ISO (SACD ISO). PCM multi-bit formats (WAV, FLAC, AIFF, mp3, etc. files and CD-audio disks) can be used as source or target. Also, the such converter can resample DSD files. Read below how the converter works.

December 3, 2023 updated

Author: Yuri Korzunov,
Audiophile Inventory's developer with 25+ year experience in digital signal processing,
author of the articles that make audio easy for beginners

How do I convert audio to/from DSD?
How to convert PCM to DSD files
What is DSD format
How DSD converter works
DSD modulator (sigma-delta modulator, convert to DSD)
DSD demodulator (convert from DSD)
DSD resampling
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
Articles about sigma-delta modulation
Read more

How do I convert audio to/from DSD?

Read how to convert DSD to/from PCM audio files [tutorials]:

Watch and share: How DSD converter works

Watch and share: What is DSD audio? Definitive guide

How to convert PCM to DSD files

You can convert PCM to DSD audio files:

Start AuI ConverteR software

Download FREE
[Windows]

Download FREE
[Mac]
Push Open files button and select PCM music files (.wav, .flac, AIFF, mp3, or others).
In the main program window, select the output DSD format (.dsf or .dff).*
In the main program window, select sampling rate and bit depth.
Select output file directory.
Push Start button and wait for the end of the conversion.

* WARNING: DVD-audio/video, Blu-Ray, DVD/BluRay/CD ISO are NOT supported.
For Modula-R version, SACD ISO, DSF, DFF are supported in proper configurations.
For ISO tracks, DSF, DFF longer than 3 minutes, FREE edition mutes 2-second silence in the output middle and has other restrictions
Free version has processing sound quality identical commercial editions.

How to convert DSD to PCM audio files read here...

Minimum price options

What is DSD format

Format DSD is an implementation of 1-bit sigma-delta modulation. Range of sample rates that multiple 44100 Hz is used:

2.8 MHz = 2 822 400 Hz = 44100 Hz x 64 times;
5.6 MHz = 5 644 800 Hz = 44100 Hz x 128 times;
11.2 MHz = 11 289 600 Hz = 44100 Hz x 256 times;
22.6 MHz = 22 579 200 Hz = 44100 Hz x 512 times;
45.2 MHz = 45 158 400 Hz = 44100 Hz x 1024 times;
etc.

Bit depth is 1 bit.

Read details...

How DSD converter works

Software DSD converter can contain inside:

1. PCM (multibit) modulator to delta-sigma modulation (1-bit), or

2. Sigma-delta demodulator (1-bit) to PCM (multibit), or

3. Both: modulator and demodulator.

4. Resampler and other processing.

DSD converter structure

Structure of DSD converter

DSD modulator provides a decreasing of bit number. It leads to increased noise level (quantization error).

The most useful part of an audio signal is located in the range 0 ... 20 kHz. The modulator "pushes" the noise energy to the range above 20 kHz. It's called "noise shaping".

Demodulator provides filtering of this noise. After the filtering, the most useful audio signal remains only. Practically, some artifacts remain in the demodulated signal.

DSD modulator (sigma-delta modulator, convert to DSD)

A sigma-delta modulator (PCM to DSD) is sophisticated audio processing. It is a system with feedback. Hence it can lose stability. If the sigma-delta modulator (DSD modulator) loses stability, needs to restart it. As rule, it can't return to stable mode without external impact.

DSD modulator

DSD modulator

In general, design of sigma-delta modulator is a compromise between stability and noise level. More significant pushing of noise energy out of audible range may lead to stability loss. DSD modulator can lose stability due to overload.

For achieving a better signal/noise ratio inside audible range and keeping stability, the frequency band out of audible range must have a reserve by width. It may be achieved by increasing the sample rate.

Sample rate increasing is an easier way to have a wider band with lower noise.

Unfortunately, the author doesn't know exactly history of DSD creating. But, looks like, DSD64 sample rate was designed for transmitting 20 kHz band. As rule, a DSD demodulator design is easier, comparing a PCM one (read more). So replacement of 44 kHz/16 bit to DSD64 may give some technical advantages for implementation.

For transferring of 100 kHz-band signal with keeping or decreasing the noise floor, the easiest way is sample rate increasing.

DSD demodulator (convert from DSD)

Sigma-delta demodulator (DSD to PCM) or DSD demodulator is a low-frequency filter, that removes modulation noise. The noise is located above the audible range.

DSD demodulator

DSD demodulator

This filter has 3 features:

passband (minimum 0 ... 20 kHz);
stopband (band where DSD modulator noise is suppressed);
transient band (band between pass and stop bands).

A wider transient band allows decreased ringing audio, but pass more energy of noise of DSD modulator.

If expand passband, DSD's noise energy in the band is also increased. If the passband becomes narrower, ringing is increased.

So DSD demodulator is a balanced technical decision.

DSD resampling

Resampling of DSD is a digital audio processing. Performed via multiple upsampling/downsampling with digital filtering.

Before resampling a file, DSD is converted without losses to a multi-bit audio stream suitable for processing. After it, the stream is processed and converted back to DSD via modulator.

Resampling 1-bit audio cause little losses, comparable with losses for PCM resampling. There are losses defined by distortions of used implementation of processing.

However, the playback apparatus may have different distortion levels for various sample rates. Hence, resampling may give benefits, if DSD is converted to a sample rate that causes minimum distortions on a used DAC.

Resampling DSD audio file
for sample rate that causes minimum distortions on a used DAC

DSD resampler

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DSD converter?

DSD converter is software to convert DSD audio files from/to other audio formats.

How do I convert MP3 to DSD?

Read the guide on how to convert mp3 to DSD files...

How do I convert a DSD file?

Read manuals on how to convert:

How to convert CD to DSD?

To convert CD to DSD, you can rip CD audio with target .dsf or .dff format.

Should I convert FLAC to DSD?

You can convert FLAC to DSD, if it gives audible advantages of sound quality on your musical setup.

Can I convert DSD to PCM without filtering to avoid ringing?

DSD demodulator is low-frequency filter. And it causes ringing distortions.

Digital conversion of DSD (2.8 MHz or more) to PCM (in instance, 24 bit / 96 kHz) is downsampling by nature.

Without filtering, downsampling causes spectrum folding distortions.

Thus, no way to convert DSD to PCM without filtering in the digital domain.

When the filter is removed from DSD DAC, it may causes electrical dynamic range losses and intermodulation distortions.

I have heard, DSD to DSD conversion is applied via PCM. What frequency is used?

There is no mathematical difference between DSD and PCM for audio processing.
And, the author is not heard about 1-bit math.

Therefore, converting DSD to DSD is starting from transformation to multi-bit DSD (in instance, for AuI ConverteR 64-bit float / double precision) with the same frequency as the original Direct Stream Digital audio. Multibit DSD may be considered as PCM with a useful band of about 0 ... 30 kHz.

The converter software performs mathematical operations in 64-bit float / double precision.

Alternatively, these operations may be applied in other precision: 32-bit, 32-bit float or other.

After all operations, the multi-bit signal is re-modulated back into 1-bit DSD.

Before the re-modulation, the processed signal should be filtered to avoid overloading (clipping and broken stability) of the DSD modulator.

What are DSD audio files?

DSD files are audio files that contain audio in DSD format. Read more...

What is the difference between DSD and DSF?

DSD is an audio format. DSF is a file, that contains DSD audio.

What is DSF file?

DSF file is a DSD audio file format. Read details...

What are DSD music files?

DSD files contain high-resolution audio. Read more...

Is DSD the same as SACD?

DSD is a sound format, that SACD contains.

Where can I download DSD music for free? Where can I download DSD files?

Look at where you can download DSD music files:

Is DSD better than FLAC?

DSD and FLAC are audiophile audio formats. In different conditions, each of these formats may give sound-quality advantages.

Technically, FLAC is PCM format. And, actually, we compare PCM and DSD. Read more...

Is MQA better than DSD?

MQA is one of PCM formats. It is data-compressed one. As far as the author knows, technically, it's a high-qualitative format without lossless (bit-perfect) ability.

DSD is lossless audio format.

Both formats have advantages and disadvantages....

What is DSD mastering?

DSD mastering is an audio processing of an audio file: EQ, reverberation, compression, gain, normalizing.

How do I play DSD files with foobar2000?

Read how you can play DSD (.dsf, .dff) files with foobar2000...

Does VLC play DSD files?

On the moment of the answer question, VLC doesn't play DSD files back. Check out the discussion...

What does DSD over PCM mean? What is DSD over PCM?

DSD over PCM (DoP) is a way to transmit audio data via standard audio interface (USB). Read details...

Is DSD to FLAC lossless?

DSD to FLAC conversion has some losses. However, proper conversion causes very small ones.