Extract ISO (aka SACD ISO) to DSF [Mac Windows Definitive Guide]

Tutorials

ISO (aka SACD ISO) to DSF, DFF (DSD audio files) conversion [stereo / multichannel] is used to playback music at audiophile apparatus, editing and hard disk space-saving. DSF format is preferable due to metadata support (track, album, performer, album art, others) standard way. Read the step-by-step guide, sound quality comparison, watch video tutorial how to convert ISO to DSF

ISO to DSF, DFF (DSD files) extracting

To convert ISO (aka SACD ISO) to DSF, DFF (DSD files):

1. Start conversion software AuI ConverteR 48x44.
   
   
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2. Push "Open files" button and open .iso file.*
3. Select DSF or DFF (DSD format) at main window Output panel.
4. At the main window Output panel: select sample rate (bit-perfect extraction at 2.8 MHz only).
   Read about sound quality and full converting ISO guide >
5. At main window Album art tab: assign album artwork **
6. Select stereo or multichannel album variant extraction from ISO.
7. Select target directory (see more in the video)
8. Push Start button
9. Wait until the end of conversion

WARNING: AuI ConverteR 48x44 don't support DVD-audio and DVD-video.
AuI ConverteR process too long file names and paths, non-Latin and forbidden characters (created from metadata) for successful output file writing
 

* If you convert first time read about First time ISO extraction (auto codec downloading and installing).

** if available in the purchased configuration

*** All prices at this page in the U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes. The prices are recommended. Information at this page is not a public offer.

WARNING: ISO (1-bit audio, aka SACD ISO only), DSF, DFF are supported in price configurable Modula-R and all-included PROduce-RD
For ISO tracks, DSF, DFF with length more 3 minutes FREE demo mute 2-second silence in the output middle

Converted stuff is placed in the target directory

Dithering is ignored when extracting ISO to DSF.

Select target format to convert ISO to DSF

Album artwork panel

ISO to DSF, DFF general information and sound quality matters

SACD ISO is file-container with tracks (songs) included in a musical album. The file-container may contain mixes (variants) of album: stereo and/or multichannel.

The file-container has sample rate 2.8 MHz and bit depth 1 bit sigma-delta modulation / DSD (the author have no information about higher sample rates in the containers).

The file-container's stuff may be extracted in bit-perfect mode (without altering). There is binary content the container and extracted stuff is identical. It is possible at 2.8 MHz sample rate only.

Also, the container's stuff may be resampled so that playback at D128 and higher DAC or digital music player. Equipment has several playback modes (audio resolutions), that can cause individual distortion level of each mode. Using mode with minimal distortions can improve sound quality. Read details here >

Sound quality: AuI ConverteR vs a converter software: DSD64 to DSD128 noise

In the ideal case, should not be noise in audible band. Lesser noise (darker background) is higher sound quality.

A multichannel variant may be played back at a multichannel system or downmixed 5.1 in 2.0 to playback at stereo equipment or headphones.

Downmixing may be performed inline ("on fly" into player) or offline (convert ISO to DSF 2.0 - with/without downmixing - before playback via music converter). Offline stereo extraction/conversion save disk space at portable musical device's hard disk. Therefore you can place more music at a digital music player or mobile phone.

Also, read some sound quality issues below.

Conversion ISO to DFF is not recommended. Because DFF doesn't support metadata (song, album names, performer, year, artwork) standard way. Theoretically, metadata may be built into DFF technically as non-standard information block. However, playback software/hardware will ignore it, as rule.

If the target sample rate is D128 / D256 / D512 / D1024, resampling processing is used. Resampling processing based on filtering. These filters have several settings.

At Settings > General tab:

• Filter mode list:
• "Optimized resampling filter" cut frequencies upper 20 kHz (eliminating of intermodulation distortions by ultrasound);
   
• "Non-Optimized resampling filter" cut frequencies upper 20...24 kHz (depend on input/output sample rates) - eliminating intermodulation distortions by ultrasound, wider signal band;
   
• "Non-Optimized wide resampling filter" cut frequencies upper 20...100 kHz (depend on input/output sample rates).

At some equipment "Non-Optimized..." filters can cause audible noise: see the video.

"Optimized..." filter is recommended for most cases.

Check/uncheck Use minimum phase filter switch for minimum/linear phase filter respectively. "Non-Optimized..." filters have linear mode only.

How to keep disk space and energy at portable devices

SACD ISO files may contain 2 album variants: stereo and multichannel.

Portable devices (DAP, mobile phone) have:

• limited hard disk space;
• limited battery charge (time of autonomous work).

As rule portable device is intended for stereo playback.

An audio player software has 2 options:

1. extract stereo album variant from SACD ISO;
2. extract multichannel (5.1) variant and downmix it to 2.0.

In case #1, excessive hard disk space of mobile devices is consumed. And lesser music file number may be placed at the mobile device.

In case #2, additional computing resources (and energy too) are consumed. Additional energy consuming reduce autonomous-work time.

To solve cases #1 and #2, the extraction of stereo DSFs may be used.

If ISO contains multichannel variant only, downmix 5.1 to stereo may be applied.

Tips

a) Don't open content of mounted iso file. Open *.iso file instead.

b) To view ISO content (album name, performer, year, stereo/multichannel variants, track number):

1. Push "Open files" button and open .iso (sacd iso only).
2. In AuI ConverteR's main window Source files tab, hover mouse cursor under ISO file row.
3. Tooltips window appears. Information about ISO is shown there. In round brackets, track number of each of album veriants is displayed.

F.A.Q. SACD ISO to DSF conversion

Does is there a difference between SACD ISO to DSF converters?

• If such conversion software item works in bit-perfect mode and without glitches, there is no difference for sound quality.
• If resampling or any audio processing (gain, filtering, EQ, etc.) is there, it can cause a sound quality difference.
• When ISO is extracted, an output file may be named according to the text ISO metadata. If the metadata are too long, file path+name length may be excessive for an operating system.
  Also, the metadata can contain non-Latin or forbidden symbols (*, ', etc.). These things cause (can cause) error. And extracted audio file cannot be created.
  For example, AuI ConveteR fix these issues automatically.

Are extracted DSF / DFF files have sound quality identical original SACD ISO?

Yes, when you use bit-perfect extraction mode and target sample rate DSD64.

Why stereo / multichannel extraction needs?

Multichannel extraction is recommended for multichannel audio systems only.

For stereo musical systems (especial portable ones) stereo extraction or downmix of multichannel to stereo is recommended. Read details...

What DSF/DFF sample rate is recommended to extract from SACD ISO?

Read recommendations for target sample rate choice...

When you oversample to DSF/DFF, is it necessary to extract to DSD64 first?

No. If you use AuI ConverteR, select any target format, sample rate, bit depth once, without any intermediate conversions.

Can I use batch ISO extraction with minimal configuration of AuI ConverteR?

Yes. You can use batch ISO conversion with minimal AuI ConverteR configuration.

However, it must be remembered that batch ISO extraction demands many free temporary hard disk space.

You can set hard disk for temporary space in AuI ConverteR settings > Misc > "Directory of temporary files". After it's changed, restart the software.

Where can I read about SACD to FLAC, WAV, mp3 and other PCM extraction?

Read this tutorial...

Where can I read the full SACD extract tutorial?

Read the full tutorial...

Software configurations for ISO to DSF conversion

AuI ConverteR has several price/functionality options, that allow to save your budget for the required functionality.

* All prices at this page in the U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes. The prices are recommended. Information at this page is not a public offer.

• Build custom confugurations >
• To expand functionality: Modula-R module list >
• Ask for advice >

Preparations for сonversion

1. Launch AuI ConverteR 48x44 (see ISO to DSF converter configurations)
2. Open Settings > CD ripper/ISO tab
3. Select stereo 2.0 / multichannel (SACD 5.1) track extraction
4. Skipping pause before first track: check "Skip pause for first ISO track" switch
5. Skipping pauses between tracks: check "Skip pause for all tracks" switch
6. Click OK button in the Settings window
7. (Optionally) Continuous-album extraction (opera, concert, show or same ones): the main window > Parameters tab check "True gapless mode"**
8. Binary identical (bit-perfect) extraction mode: the Settings window > General tab check "Don't make DSP ..." switch. The target sample rate must be 2.8 MHz (D64)

Convert ISO to DSF: Settings

Additional information:

Ripping SACD (link 1)

SACD ripping (link 2)

Read more about ISO converters

Check Free DSD Music Downloads

Check Free Hi-Res Music Downloads

DSD vs DSF vs DFF Files Audio. What is difference [Article]

Check FREE DSD players

DSD vs FLAC [Comparison, Infographic, Explanation]

How to Open DSF Audio Files [Converters, Players]