12 FREE DSD [DSF DFF, SACD ISO] Player Software DAP 2023

 

 

 

 

1. Astell & Kern SP1000T
   DFF DSF WAV FLAC WMA MP3 OGG APE AAC ALAC AIFF MQA
   up to native DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz
   256 GB / up to 1 TB
    
   Playback up to 12 hours
   SNR 120 ... 122 dB, WiFi 2.4 GHz
    
2. Astell & Kern SP2000T
   DSF DFF WAV FLAC WMA MP3 OGG APE AAC ALAC AIFF MQA
   up to native DSD512, up to 32bit 384kHz
   256 GB / up to 1 TB
   Bluetooth v 5.0 A2DP, AVRCP, aptX HD, LDAC [?]
   Playback up to 9 hours
   SNR 121 ... 123 dB, WiFi 2.4 / 5 GHz
    
3. Cowon Plenue D3
   DSF DFF SACD-ISO FLAC WAV AIFF ALAC APE WMA OGG DCF mp3 CUE
   up to DSD128, 32 bit 192 kHz
   64 / up to 128 GB
   Bluetooth v 3.0 A2DP AVRCP / SBC aptX [?]
   Playback up to 45 hours
   SNR 126 ... 131 dB
    
4. Cowon Plenue R2
   DSF DFF SACD-ISO DXD FLAC WAV AIFF ALAC APE WMA OGG WV TTA DCF mp3 CUE
   up to native DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz
   128 GB / ?
   Bluetooth v 3.0 A2DP AVRCP / SBC aptX [?]
   Playback up to 20 hours
   SNR 130 ... 136 dB
    
5. Cowon Plenue L
   DSF DFF SACD-ISO DXD FLAC WAV AIFF ALAC APE WMA OGG WV TTA DCF mp3 CUE
   up to native DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz
   256 / up to 256 GB
    
   Playback up to 9 hours
   SNR 125 ... 128 dB
    
6. iBasso DX240
   DFF DSF DXD MQA APE FLAC WAV WMA AAC ALAC AIFF OGG MP3
   up to native DSD512,up to 32bit 768kHz
   64 GB / up to 2 TB
   Bluetooth v 5.0
   Playback approximate 11 hours
   SNR 125 dB, WiFi 2.4 / 5 GHz
    
7. iBasso DX320
   DFF DSF DXD MQA APE FLAC WAV WMA AAC ALAC AIFF OGG MP3
   up to native DSD512,up to 32bit 768kHz
   128 GB / SDXC and SDHC Micro SD
   Bluetooth v 5.0
   Playback approximate 10 hours
   Dual battery power structure, SNR 125 dB, WiFi 2.4 / 5 GHz
    
8. FiiO M11 Plus
   DSD DST-ISO DXD APE ALAC FLAC WAV WMA mp3 OGG AAC
   up to DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz
   64 GB / up to 2 TB
   Bluetooth v 5.0 SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-HD, LDAC [?]
   Playback up to 14 hours
   SNR ≥121 dB, WiFi 2.4 / 5 GHz
    
9. FiiO M17
   DSD DST-ISO DXD APE ALAC FLAC WAV WMA mp3 OGG AAC
   up to DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz; external USB DAC: up to DSD512, up to 32bit 768kHz
   64 GB / theoretically up to 2TB
   Bluetooth v 5.0 SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC [?]
   Playback up to 10 hours
   SNR ≥121 dB, WiFi 2.4 / 5 GHz
    
10. Sony NW-A105
    DSF DFF MP3 WMA FLAC WAV AAC HE-AAC ALAC AIFF APE MQA
    up to DSD256, up to 32bit 384kHz
    ? / Micro SD Micro SDHC Micro SDXC
    Bluetooth v 5.0
    Playback up to 26 hours
    WiFi
     
11. Sony NW-WM1A
    DSD MP3 WMA AAC HE-AAC FLAC ALAC AIFF
    native DSD, DSD to PCM, up to 32bit 384kHz
    128 GB / Micro SD
    Bluetooth aptX HD after firmware update [?]
    Playback up to 30 hours
     
     

 

[See FREE audio players for hi-res] [See DSF audio samples]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more about mobile device connections to DSD playback here.

 

How to play DSD files.

To play DSD files, it's necessary to use a playback device or software player that is installed on a computer or mobile phone.

All these devices contain built-in digital-to-analog converters (DAC). But, different types of digital audio interfaces allow connecting external DAC or AV-receiver or other audio units with DAC.

Audio player software should be configured properly. DAC may be either DSD or PCM.
There is no general rule, that guarantees the best sound quality for every case.
When PCM DAC is used, the conversion of DSD to PCM format is required.
DSD DAC may get an audio stream natively ("native DSD" stream via ASIO driver) via DoP (DSD over PCM) protocol.

Check out How to play DSD with foobar2000 >

Read more details below.

 

How do I get the best sound quality on my computer?

You can get the best sound quality on your computer / laptop on Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile device on Android, iOS, when you:

• reduce weak places of the audio-signal path and
• your DAC works in optimal resolution.

 

 

What is bit-perfect mode

Bit-perfect means the transmission of audio file content to DAC without altering.

 

DSD files (DSF, DFF, SACD ISO) and DoP files (FLAC, WAV, AIFF, other lossless PCM files)
may be played back in bit-perfect mode on DSD DAC.

The DAC should support the file's sampling rate.

Example: bit-perfect playback of DSD1024 file is impossible on DAC that supports up to DSD256 sampling rate.

 

What is gapless playback

When uninterrupted albums (operas, concerts) listen, non-gapless playback can cause clicks at track borders.

Gapless playback means playback album as a solid (uninterrupted) stream without re-initialization of DAC.

If the album is converted from an audio format to another one with resampling, it can cause artifacts at track borders. To avoid track-border artifacts, True Gapless conversion may be used.

 

Offline conversion mode

With bit-perfect mode, you can playback offline pre-converted audio files (including PCM to DSD). This mode doesn't consume additional computing resources for altering an audio file. Also, it saves electrical energy that is spent on processing.

 

Many digital audio players (DAP) are capable of playback with stereo headphones. But some of your records may be multichannel.

When DAP plays a multichannel record, it downmixes to 2.0. Downmixing is a lossy operation and its sound quality depends on implementation.

Also, extra channels consume free space on the hard disk of the DAP. Offline pre-downmixed to stereo files allow saving more songs on hard disk.

If music file is played back on a mobile device in bit-perfect mode or with minimal processing, it allows:

1. saving battery charge;
2. getting a longer time of autonomous work;
3. getting more computing resources for other (not audio player) applications.

 

Inline conversion mode

DSD and PCM files may be played back with inline (real-time, "on-fly") altering of audio content:

• with DSD resampling;
• with room correction;
• with conversion DSD to PCM on PCM DAC.

 

 

 

This mode allows saving time for pre-converting of various audio files to the best sounding mode of DAC. But each playback can consume big computing resources for resolution conversion and other processing.

Real-time playback conversion DSD to PCM on mobile devices consumes additional battery charge and part of the device's CPU performance. It can cause a lesser time for autonomous work and reduce the response of other (non-player) applications.

 

Inline (real-time) vs offline conversion
of audio files on mobile devices

 

Offline conversion of audio files gives a longer battery life. Because a mobile device performs a lesser calculation number.

Also pre-downmix, pre-conversion DSD to PCM, pre-downsampling save free space on the hard disk of the mobile device.

 

 

Can computer and mobile phone play DSD? DAC interfaces

In the part the consider how to use computer or mobile phone hardware to playback DSD.

Mobile phones and many laptops contains ordinary PCM DAC.

Some player software are capable to convert DSD to PCM "on fly" (in real-time). Processing time may impact to sound quality. So real-time conversion may have lack of computing resources to implement more accurate algorithm.
Also, "heavy" algorithms extensively consume battery energy.

Alternatively, you can pre-convert DSD files to PCM (FLAC, WAV, etc.) offline.
If sound quality difference between inline and offline conversion is there, you can play pre-convenverted files back.
Pre-conversion allows to save battery energy.
If mobile phone is not capable multichannel playback in earphones,  it can downmix it to stereo in real-time. But, multichannel files waste the phone memory for all channels instead 2 channels that are actually need to physical listening. Such files may be pre-downmixed to stereo offline.

To DSD playback (including bit-perfect) under Windows, DAC may be connected to an audio player via ASIO driver or DoP protocol.

Also, WASAPI (with DoP) interface may be used to playback (including bit-perfect).

DoP is the special open protocol for coding DSD into a pseudo-PCM audio stream. The stream cannot be played back as PCM.

To DSD playback under Mac, DAC may be connected to an audio player via DoP protocol.

 

Read more about:

• PCM and DSD DACs >
• NOS DACs >

 

What is the best DSD player

In audiophile application, the players are compared by sound quality.

If the player has bit-perfect mode and used DAC support played file resolution, sound quality is the same for such players.

But, if an audio resolution is altered or EQ is used, then applied processing quality is a matter.

In general, the best DSD player with processing should cause minimal distortions.

Also kind of distortions may be matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. play files

 

What is DSD player?

DSD player is a device or software, that capable to play audiophile format Direct Stream Digital. It may be provides as SACD optical disks or computer files.

Look at DSD player list...

 

What is DSD music file?

DSD audio files are files, capable to contains DSD audio content: DSF, DFF, SACD ISO and DoP FLAC, WAV, etc. Read details here...

 

What is DFF audio file?

DFF file is one of DSD files. Its audio data content is identical to DSF by sound quality. Read DFF file details here...

 

How do I open DFF file?

DFF file is supported by software...

 

What is SACD ISO?

SACD ISO is audio file ripped from SACD optical disk.

Read more...

 

What is DSF audio file? What is a .DSF audio file?

Read DSF file quick guide here...

 

How do I open a DSF file? What can open DSF files?

Read how to open DSF file...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio quality

 

Is DSD better than FLAC?

It is a matter of recording quality and playback tool implementation. Read about DSD and FLAC comparison...

 

Is DSD audio worth it? Is DSD any good?

DSD allows simplifying a playback system and solves some issues of an analog filter of ADC and DAC, theoretically. But implementation of the system makes actual result. See more...

 

Is DSD the best audio format?

DSD have as advantages as disadvantages comparing alternative audio formats. Read details...

 

Which is best format for audio?

Many audio formats intersect by features and can replace each another. Read more which format is the best..

 

What is the highest quality audio file?

As rule, it is lossless files in high resolution (WAV, FLAC, DSF, DFF, SACD, SACD ISO and others).

Read details...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. Direct Stream Digital

 

Is DSD dead?

No. DSD music is produced and sold now.

Listen to:

• DSF music samples...
• DSD music download site list...

 

Is DSD a SACD?

SACD is optical disk format that contains DSD audio. Read details...

 

Where can I download FLAC songs for free? Where can I download high-quality music for free?

You can download high-quality (high-resolution) files from the download resources into the list here...

 

Where can I get a DSD? Where can I listen to DSD audio? Where can I find DSD music?

You can download .dsf files here...

See the list of DSD download sites here...

 

Where can I download DSD for free?

You can download .dsf files for free...

Also, check out these download sites...

 

How do I listen to DSD?

You can listen DSD with audio player software.

Read about player settings and other...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio players

 

 

What is a DSD player?

DSD player is computer software or device, that play DSD files or SACD optical disk.

Read more...

 

What player can play DSD?

See the list of players that are capable to play DSD...

 

Can you play DSD without a DAC?

To listen DSD files on computer or mobile device without DSD DAC, you can:

• use proper audio player, or
• convert DSD files to PCM ones.

 

Do I need a DAC for DSD?

You can listen to DSD without DAC. Some player software is capable to convert DAC to PCM on fly.

Or, you can tentatively convert DSD files to PCM.

 

What is native DSD support?

DSD files may be played back 3 ways:

1. on-fly conversion DSD to PCM, and playback on PCM DAC (in PCM mode of the DAC);
2. offline conversion DSD to PCM with conversion software, and playback on PCM DAC (in PCM mode of the DAC);
3. transmit DSD audio stuff to DSD DAC to playback.

Option #3 is called "native DSD support". DSD may be transmitted via ASIO driver or as DoP.

 

How do I listen to DSD files?

DSD files may be natively listened to with DSD DAC and compatible player software or DAP.

To playback at PCM DAC, DSD files and be previously converted to FLAC, WAV, AIFF and other PCM formats.

Also, you can play with sound quality...

 

How do I listen to DSD audio?

DSD audio may be purchased on SACD disks or music files.

There are many media players that allows listening to DSD audio in all these formats.

Computer allows playing DSD files only.

Also, you can pre-convert DSD to PCM audio formats, and listen to it om more common PCM DAC.

Read also: How to improve sound quality...

 

How do I play .DSF files?

DSD player is a device or software, that capable to play audiophile format Direct Stream Digital. It may be suggested as SACD optical disks or computer files.

To convert DSD digital audio to analog form, native DSD DAC is used.

Alternatively, DSD music may be pre-converted to PCM, to listening to the music on widespread PCM Digital-to-Analog Converters.

Read about way of sound-quality improvement...

 

How do I play a DSD file?

You can play DSD files with one of DSD players.

Read more...

 

Can VLC play DSF?

Looks like, VLC can't play DSF. Current state is here...

Anyway, you can use conversion DSF files to FLAC ones instead.

Read more...

 

Can Plex play DSD files?

Looks like, the Plex media server converts DSD to PCM "on fly" (discussion).

Alternatively, you can pre-convert DSD to FLAC and listen to converted files on this server software.

 

Can Windows 10 play DSD?

To play DSD audio files on Windows 10, use audio players. Read details here...

 

How do I play DSD files on Windows? How do I play DSF files on Windows 10? Does Windows 10 support Hi-Res Audio?

Audio files in DSD format can be played on Windows 10 with music software player. Read more...

 

 

How can I play DSD files on my PC?

You can play DSD files on your PC with audio player software.

Also, DSD DAC may required.

Read more...

 

Can Android play DSD?

Yes. There are Android player software that can play DSD files. See here...

 

Can Android play DSD?

Yes. There are Android player software that can play DSD files. See here...

 

Is there a DAC app for Android?

No. A DAC is hardware always. It can contains firmware (built-in) software.

However, an audio player can provide inline conversion to used DAC mode (DSD or PCM).

Alternatively, and audio file format may be converted offline via a audio converted software...

 

How do I listen to high resolution audio on Android?

You can play high-resolution audio on Android via phone's earbuds/headphone output ar connect portable DAC with amplifier.
See list of hi-res audio player software here...

 

Can Android play lossless?

You can play to lossless music file on Android music player software...

 

How do I play DSF files with foobar2000?

Yes, you can. Read foobar2000 DSD playback guide here...

 

Can Windows Media Player play DSD? Can Windows Media Player play DSF?

No. Windows Media Player can't play DSD. But, you can use other software...

 

How do I play a DSF file? How do I play DSF audio?

To play DSF files use one of DSD audio players...

Also, see guide how to play DSD...

 

How do I play DSF files on Foobar?

You can play DSF file on Foobar with this guide...

 

How do I play DFF files?

DFF files are played back via audio player software...

 

How do I play SACD ISO file? How do I open a SACD file?

You can play SACD ISO at hardware and software players.

However, SACD ISO may contain stereo and multichannel album variants. And it consumes additional place at hardware player.

You can extract SACD ISO to DSD or PCM files. Your choice PCM vs DSD is a matter of your music player and hardware ability.

See more:

1. Software to playback SACD ISO files...
2. Play SACD ISO on foobar2000...
3. How to choose target format...

 

How do I play DSF files on my Mac?

To play .dsf files on Mac, use DSD players...

 

Does VLC play DSD files? Can VLC play DSF files? Does VLC support DSD? Can VLC play DFF files? Can VLC play DSD?

As the author know, VLC can't play DSD files. Read details...

 

Can Audirvana play ISO?

Audirvana software can play SACD ISO files.

 

Can Audirvana play SACD ISO?

Yes. Audirvana is capable to play SACD ISO files [discussion].

 

Does Foobar play ISO? Can Foobar play ISO?

Foobar2000 software can play SACD ISO files. Read more...

 

Can MusicBee play DSD files?

As it's written in this source, MusicBee software can play DSD files.

However, you can use DSD to PCM (FLAC, WAV, mp3) offline conversion instead. Read more...

 

How do I play a SACD file on my PC?

To play SACD ISO file you can use DSD audio player software.

 

What is the best audio player for Mac?

Best audio player for Mac is individual choice. Here you can read general recommendations...

 

How can I listen to hi res music on my Mac?

To listen hi-res music on Mac use hifi audio players...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. convert audio

 

 

How do I convert DSF to FLAC?

Read about conversion DSF to FLAC here...

 

How do I convert DSF to mp3?

Read about conversion DSF to mp3 here...

 

Is DSF better than FLAC?

DSF is DSD audio file format. Read more...

FLAC is PCM audio format. Read more...

Read about comparison DSF and FLAC...

 

 

 

 

F.A.Q. audio streaming

 

 

Is Tidal a DSD?

No. Tidal doesn't stream DSD, on moment the aswer the question. Read about DSD streaming...

 

Does Qobuz have DSD? Does Qobuz stream DSD?

No. Quobuz has not support streaming of DSD. Check out DSD streaming...