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What is DSD?

DSD (Direct Stream Digital) 1-bit audio format. It may be packed to audio files with extensions .DFF, .DSF, .ISO (a.k.a. SACD ISO - image of SACD audio disk).

Look video about DSD converter.

DSD sample rates

DSD is one kind of sigma-delta modulation.

Its sample rates are multiple 44100 Hz (sampling rate of CD-audio):

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

As rule DSD has bit depth 1 bit. Multibit DSD may be used (read below).

Read about audio converters

How DSD works

DSD is assigned for transmitting an audio signal in the lowest part of the frequency range. Rest part of the audio spectrum is used for modulation noise.

Initially 1-bit signal has high level of noise, comparing transmitted audio signal. Used noise shaping procedure for pushing noise energy to high-frequency range. Therefore, the lowest frequency range has a minimum noise floor.

"Intensive" noise pushing to high-frequency range can cause lesser stability of sigma-delta modulator.

Watch video how DSD converter works >

Bit depth increasing allows decreasing the noise level in the audio signal band. Hence, "lower intencity" of noise pushing to high frequencies is need. Therefore, lower reserve for noise band at high frequencies is required. And, sample rate (total DSD signal band) may be decreased.

Read more details >

DSD sound quality

DSD has range of sample rates based on 44100 Hz in most cases. Here features of professional sigma-delta modulators, that generate 1-bit audio from multibit one, will be considered. These figures depend on the modulator implementation.

Sound quality is noise distortions (artefacts) level in the audible range.

DSD 64 vs DSD 128 vs DSD 256 vs DSD 512 vs DSD 1024

The modulator has noise level limitations due to input overload tolerance. Overload at the input of the modulator can cause broken stability: silence or oscillations at the output. In some DSD records, 6 dB headroom (level reserve for maximal level) is present. Read more here >

A higher sample rate gives additional technical abilities for decreasing noise in the audible band with keeping stability.

DSD and PCM. Is DSD better than FLAC?

DSD and PCM both are digital signals of the same nature.

DSD has minimum bit depth (1-bit). It causes a high level of quantization noise.

But DSD has a wider band, that decreases noise in the audible frequency range (0 ... 20 kHz). However, it is not enough.

Read how DSD noise issue is solved here >

FLAC is one of PCM formats. So, it's fairly for FLAC too. Read details here...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DSD64? What is the sample rate of DSD64? What does DSD64 mean?

DSD64 is an audiophile format with [44.1 kHz x 64] sampling rate and bit depth 1 bit.

CD-audio sampling rate (44.1 kHz) is assigned as basic value.

See more...

What is DSD128?

DSD128 is a HD sound format with [44.1 kHz x 128] sampling rate and bit depth 1 bit. See more...

What is DSD256?

DSD256 is a high-resolution format with [44.1 kHz x 256] sampling rate and bit depth 1 bit. See more...

What is DSD512?

DSD512 is a hifi audio format with [44.1 kHz x 512] sampling rate and bit depth 1 bit. See more...

What is DSD1024?

DSD1024 is a hi-res audio format with [44.1 kHz x 1024] sampling rate and bit depth 1 bit. See more...

Is DSD64 a SACD?

DSD64 is sampling rate of SACD optical disk.

Is DSD the best audio format?

DSD is one of the best audio formats by sound quality. Lossless PCM format family is DSD alternative.

Actual sound quality depends on recording, playback equipment and software.

What is PCM vs DSD?

Read about comparison PCM and DSD here...

Is DSD better than FLAC?

In general case, both DSD and FLAC have its own benefits. Read about comparison DSD vs FLAC here...

Is MQA better than DSD?

MQA is PCM. Both PCM and DSD has advantages and disadvantages. It's defined by recording and implementation of audio system.

Also, MQA is not lossless in FLAC meaning.

However, MQA significantly saves computer storage space and reduce throughput via a network for high sound quality.

Read more...

Is DSD audio worth it?

There is no single answer. Theoretically, DSD is the best audio format by sound quality due to wide band and simpler ADC and DAC.

Note: For audio engineering wide band and ultrasound playback is not the same.

However, DSD causes issues with editing. And actual equipment implementation is not the same theoretical concept.

So, you should decide based on available equipment and recordings in given personal conditions.

What is DXD audio format?

DXD is PCM audio format, produced from DSD for audio processing, editing. Read more...

Is DSD better than PCM? Which is better DSD or PCM?

PCM and DSD are converted to analog audio in different ways. It causes different distortions. Distortion level depends on audio equipment and software implementation.

Is DSD better than FLAC? Does DSD sound better than FLAC?

FLAC is PCM. So, PCM and DSD should be compared. Read details...

What is DXD audio format?

DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) format is PCM format, that contains DSD audio spectrum including noise.

DXD is intended for DSD audio editing.

DXD has high sampling rate 352.8 kHz and bit depth 24/32-bit. So, DXD provides wide frequency band of audio signal.

It allows cause lesser distortion of DSD to PCM conversion due to lesser ringing for wider total signal band.

Quality of the conversion is depending on converter software tool.

Is DXD better than DSD?

DXD and DSD format are the same mathematically. However, both ones are converted to analog signal in different ways and sound may be different.

Is DSD128 good?

DSD128 has a higher sampling rate than DSD64. Theoretically, it allows pushing more energy of DSD noise in the higher part of spectrum.

So, we can apply ether wider useful audio band or get lesser noise.

Real result is defined by recording and implementation of playback setup and software.

Read more...

Where can I get a DSD?

You can download free DSD samples here...

Also, see list sites with DSD music...

Author: Yuri Korzunov,
Audiophile Inventory's developer
April 11, 2022 updated  | since May 03, 2017