If you are music lover and look for audiophile sound quality, you you've probably heard about DSD format. In this article, we'll explain what is DSD, compare it with other digital formats (CD and others). Keep reading.
📀📁DSD files are computer files, that contain audio or music data in Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format.
SACD is an optical disk format for a laser player.
DSD computer-file types:
Read the main article about DSD vs DSF vs DFF comparison >
DFF vs DSF vs SACD ISO comparison
Radial bands in the format sector of a DSD file show its functionality.
DSD was designed as sound-quality imrovement of compact disk.
CD audio is multibit format with 16-bit resolution and 44100 Hz sampling rate. DSD is 1-bit audio sifnal with sample rate 2.8 MHz and higher. High sampling rate allows solving issue of "super-low" bit depth. It give audiophile abilities to Direct Stream Digital sound.
Here you can read more about difference between DSD and multibit PCM formats...
The sound quality of different DSD audio file formats is the same. All these formats are lossless. I.e. they store an audio stream without losses.
See how large is a DSD file. The size comparison for different sampling rates.
| DFF size (MBytes/min) | DSF size (MBytes/min) | SACD size (MBytes/min) | |
| DSD64 stereo | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.5 |
| DSD64 multichannel (5.1) | 61.6 | 61.6 | - |
| DSD128 stereo | 41.1 | 41.1 | - |
| DSD128 multichannel (5.1) | 123.2 | 123.2 | - |
| DSD256 stereo | 82.1 | 82.1 | - |
| DSD256 multichannel (5.1) | 246.3 | 246.3 | - |
| DSD512 stereo | 164.2 | 164.2 | - |
| DSD512 multichannel (5.1) | 492.7 | 492.7 | - |
| DSD1024 stereo | 328.5 | 328.5 | - |
| DSD1024 multichannel (5.1) | 985.4 | 985.4 | - |
Size compression is implemented in DFF and SACD ISO format only (DST [Direct Stream Transfer] compression method). The compression quality is lossless.
DSD is a format based on 1-bit sigma-delta modulation.
In short, DSD is the same PCM with bit depth reduced to 1.
But it causes a high level of quantization noise.
To reduce the level, noise shaping is used. It "pushes" the noise energy from the audible frequency range to ultrasound.
To "pushing ability" the total frequency band should provide reserve at the ultrasound frequency range. It is achieved via a higher sample rate.
The noise shaper has feedback inside, which can cause broken stability of DSD modulator due to input overload.
Read details on how DSD works...
Audio samples, free DSD music and test signal downloads:
Various DSD audio player software can playback 1-bit audio 3 ways:
Yes. There is iPhone software to play DSD files.
Read details and see the player list here >
A converter software can support different formats, functionality and have various DSD processing qualities.
Read details:
The author never knows about so-called "native DSD editing". There is no math base, that allows summarizing or multiplying with two 1-bit values and putting the result in 1-bit value. Thus, DSD altering may be provided in multi-bit math only. After the editing, DSD re-modulation is applied to return to 1-bit domain.
Losses by proper DSD editing are comparable with qualitative re-sampling. I.e. almost transparent for a user.
An editor software may support various formats, functionality and have different qualities of DSD processing.
Read details:
DSD file format is a sound file format with digital audio in 1-bit sigma-delta modulation (called DSD or Direct Stream Digital).
Read details...
DSD file (.dsf, .dff, .iso [SACD ISO]) is a file that contains audio, including music, in DSD format.
Read more...
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is a kind of digital signal.
Read details...
DSD file format is a high-resolution audio format based on 1-bit sigma-delta modulation.
Read more...
SACD is an optical disk format. Such disk contains tracks in DSD audio format.
You can download free samples in DSD format here...
Also, check out these links...
To download DSD files, visit the page...
and these resources...
Yes. You can download DSD files here...
and by these links...
To download free samples in DSD format here...
Also, check these links...
You can download free samples in DSD format here...
Also, check these DSD download links...
There are DSD streaming too...
You can download free high-resolution samples here...
Also, check these links to free hi-res files...
DSD is one of high-resolution audio formats that are intended to bring the best sound quality.
Theoretically, DSD gives technical abilities to improve sound quality comparing PCM.
It's not that simple. Read more...
DSD and FLAC both provide high sound quality. However, a sound difference may be there.
Read details...
As a concept, DSD gives great sound quality advantages comparing CD.
However, a practical implementation may change the balance between the formats in both directions.
Read more...
MQA is a lossy PCM format. DSD is a lossless (in "bit-perfect" meaning) format.
Thus, DSD is a better format for sound quality technically. However, it is a complex matter. Because the MQA losses are very small.
Read details...
Lossless audio files provide the highest sound quality. Read more...
To get DSD listening on your computer, you need to install a DSD player. The computer should have an audio interface.
Read details...
DSD files may be played back with a compatible audio player...
See bitrates for DSD files:
| DSD sample rate | Stereo bitrate, kbps |
|---|---|
| DSD64 | 5644.8 |
| DSD128 | 11289.6 |
| DSD256 | 22579.2 |
| DSD512 | 45158,4 |
| DSD1024 | 90316,8 |
Download free samples in DSD files...
Stereo 5-minute FLAC file 44.1 kHz / 16 bit is about 31,752 Mbytes = 44100Hz * 16bit / 8 * 2channels * 5minutes * 60 * 0.6compression_ratio.
You can open DSD file with software:
Read guide: DSD editing...
Look at DSD software downloads to:
To create a DSD file, you can:
You can listen to DSD files via audio players...
Windows 10 and 11 are capable of DSD playback.
Read details...
You can play DSD music without a dedicated DSD DAC, with an ordinary PCM DAC built-in into your device or an external one.
For it you have 2 options:
DSD converter is software to convert DSD to DSD or PCM files.
Read how to convert mp3, WAV, FLAC and other PCM to DSD files...
Read how to convert DSD files to:
Read how to convert DSF to FLAC...
You can convert CD to DSD files according to the guide...
See DSD file software/utility downloads:
As the author knows, VLC can't play DSF. Follow the current state here...
VLC can't play SACD optical disk. Because special hardware are required.
However, technically, SACD may be ripped to SACD ISO file and converted to FLAC.
Tidal doesn't support DSD. Read more about DSD streaming...
Spotify provides hi-fi music. However, it's not lossless. Read more...
Quobuz does not stream DSD audio. Read more about DSD streaming...
