12 FREE DSD [DSF, DFF, SACD ISO] Player Software Items [2020] Check It

DSD player list

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DSD player audio software list [See FREE audio players for hi-res]

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Read more about mobile device connections to DSD playback here.

How to play DSD files

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

Check out How to play DSD with foobar2000 >

Read more details below.

Sound quality

Bit-perfect mode

DSD files may be played back in bit-perfect modes:

• DSD file (DSF, DFF, SACD ISO);
• DoP (DSD over PCM) file (FLAC, WAV, AIFF, other lossless PCM files).

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

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 album converted from one audio format to other with resampling, it can cause artifacts at track borders. To avoid the 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 of an audio file. Also, it saves electrical energy that is spent to the processing.

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

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

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

If file 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 to resolution conversion and other processing.

Real-time playback conversion DSD to PCM on mobile devices consume additional battery charge and part of the device CPU performance. It can cause a lesser time of 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 longer battery lifetime. Because a mobile device performs lesser calculation number.

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

DAC interfaces

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 to coding DSD into 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:

What is the best DSD player

In audiophile application, the players are compared by the 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 matter.

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

Also kind of distortions may be matter.

Fequently Asked Questions

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 download resource list here...

Can VLC play DSF?

Looks like, VLC can't play DSF. See here...

How do I play DSF files in foobar2000?

Read foobar2000 DSD playback guide here...

What is DSD music file?

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

What is DSF audio file?

Read DSF file quick guide 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...

Is DSD better than FLAC?

Read about comparison DSD vs FLAC...

How do I convert DSF to mp3?

Read about conversion DSF to mp3 here...

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.

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How to Open DSF Audio Files [Converters, Players]

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Check FREE Hi-Res audio downloads

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R2R Ladder DAC vs Sigma-Delta DAC vs DSD DAC [Infographic Inside]