Read quick start guide
Sound quality matters
Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Read quick start guide
Sound quality matters
Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
How to convert SACD ISO to DSF, DFF (DSD audio files) [stereo, multichannel] to playback music at audiophile apparatus, editing and hard disk space-saving. Read step-by-step manual how to rip DSD ISO file.
To convert SACD ISO to DSD (DSF, DFF files) on Mac or Windows:
WARNING: AuI ConverteR 48x44 doesn'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. Third-party utility decode SACD ISO for additional processing with AuI ConverteR. Read whole page carefully.
* If .iso supported in the purchased configuration. When you convert first time read about (auto codec downloading and installing).
** If it's available in the purchased configuration
*** All prices at this page in the U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes and fees. The prices are recommended. Information on 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.
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 minimum distortions can improve sound quality. Read details here >
In the ideal case, should not be noise in audible band. Lesser noise (darker background) is higher sound quality.
We can compare noise with sea waves.
Lesser noise is like smaller quieter waves.
We can listen music clearer when waves are quieter.
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:
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.
AuI ConverteR has several price/functionality options that allow saving your budget for the required functionality. You can expand Modula-R abilities later via purchasing new modules.
* All prices at this page in the U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes and fees. The prices are recommended. Information on this page is not a public offer.
[MOST RECOMMENDED, ALL-INCLUDING] configuration PROduce-RD
You can either buy unlimited-time license and pay for major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x > ... versions).
[MINIMUM PRICE Modula-R's module kit]
unlimited-time license, paid major updates(... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...);
convert SACD ISO to DSF (DSD64 only, without audio processing),
fix long path name and non-Latin symbol issues in target files
BEST SELLER
[RECOMMENDED Modula-R's module kit]
unlimited-time license, paid major updates(... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...);
convert SACD ISO, DSF/DFF(up to DSD128) to DSF/DFF(up to DSD128), FLAC and other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float)
with parallel processing, true gapless mode, level normalization, album artwork assigning, anti-click SmoothDC.
SACD ISO files may contain 2 album variants: stereo and multichannel.
Portable devices (DAP, mobile phone) have:
As rule portable device is intended for stereo playback.
An audio player software has 2 options:
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.
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):
SACD ISO is DSD audio file, that is image of SACD optical disk. Read more...
DSF format is audio file type that contains DSD stuff. Read details...
DSD music files are audio files in format SACD ISO, DSF, DFF. Read more...
You can download DSD music files here:
SACD is optical disk. It may be ripped to SACD ISO (.iso file) or .dsf file.
SACD ISO may be converted to DSF files.
If you rip SACD optical disk directly to DSF, it can cause issues of long path/name and others. Read more...
Yes. SACD optical disk and its ISO image are one of DSD audio files.
SACD may be converted to other DSD files without losses.
Optical SACD may be ripped to .iso or .dsf/.dff files. However, some issues with DSD file creation may happens.
If you rip SACD optical disk to .iso (SACD ISO), it can be extracted to DSF/DFF with solving the issues...
When SACD ISO is extracted, some click/pop issues may be there. Read what to do...
DSD ISO file may be open
DSD ISO file may be opened:
You can extract music from SACD ISO to:
Yes, you can. To rip SACD optical disk you need:
Read more information...
How to rip SACD ISO file read here...
SACD optical disk may be converted to DSD files directly.
However, file name is formed by metadata. It can cause file-creating error due to:
In this case you can convert the optical disk to SACD ISO and extract DSD files with auto fixing of these issues.
You can open it:
SACD ISO may contains stereo and multichannel variants of an musical album. It consume additional space at hard disk. It is significant factor for mobile devices.
To solve the issue, stereo variant may be extracted or multichannel one is downmixed.
Sound quality of SACD ISO to PCM extracting is defined by implementation. So, qualitative extraction may be used for further bit-perfect PCM playback.
Also, sampling rate and bit depth may be matter for sound quality.
You can extract SACD ISO file to:
DSD is common name of an audio coding way. DSD-coded audio data is stored in a SACD optical disk, SACD ISO file (image of the optical disk), DSF, DFF files.
Read more:
SACD is optical disk that contains audio in DSD format.
Read details...
DSF is audio file format containing DSD-coded audio.
Read more...
Sound quality
In a recording/playback audio system, DSD format allows passing some stages theoretically. So it may be a way to reduce distortions. However, the audio-system design is matter.
Other issues
However, DSD causes some issues:
Read more...
SACD optical disk may be ripped to SACD ISO. SACD ISO may be extracted to FLAC.
You can convert ISO to FLAC via audio converter software. See details...
You can rip SACD optical disk to SACD ISO file.
Read how to extract tracks from SACD ISO:
SACD ISO may be extracted to:
Read how to convert SACD ISO to DSD...
Yes. SACD optical disk may be ripped to ISO or DSF. Ripping Super Audio CD to .iso is recommended. Read more...
You can burn DSF files on any size-capable optical disk with standard CD/DVD-burner.
However, these files will be visible at the disk as usual computer files.
To create SACD optical disk, special licensed equipment and authoring software (in instance, "Philips SuperAuthor") are need.
Here the discussion...
You can create SACD optical disk via an authoring software (as example, "Philips SuperAuthor") and special licensed apparatus.
Read the discussion...
Read how to rip SACD optical disk to computer files...
DFF file is DSD audio file format by Philips. As rule, it used in pro-audio applications. Have DSF-format-identical sound quality.
To rip SACD optical disc, some hardware is need. See details by links below...
See DSF to FLAC user manual...
You can convert audio to DSD several ways:
PCM may be converted to DSD files this way...
Read user guide How to convert ISO to DSD on Mac...
Yes. You can buy SACD at online stores...
Yes, when you use bit-perfect extraction mode and target sample rate DSD64.
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...
Read recommendations for target sample rate choice...
No. If you use AuI ConverteR, select any target format, sample rate, bit depth once, without any intermediate conversions.
Yes. You can use batch ISO conversion with minimum 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.
Third-party sacd_extract codec or other utility, compatible with AuI ConverteR, connected as command line utility, decodes SACD ISO for further processing with AuI ConverteR. Read more about codecs...
Read this tutorial...
Read the full SACD extract tutorial...
You can't play SACD optical disk on a computer. However, as the author know, some SONY VAIO laptops can play SACD.
SACD may be ripped to an audio files to playback on ordinary computer.
Read details...
Yes. Read guide...
Yes. Foobar 2000 is capable to play SACD ISO files. Read guide...
You cannot play SACD optical disk on foobar2000. But, you can rip the SACD to audio files and play it on Foobar.
Read guide...
Yes. Audirvana can play SACD ISO files. Read details...
Read more F.A.Q. about SACD ISO extraction >
As the author know, Roon can't play SACD ISO files (discussion).
However, you can convert SACD ISO to DSD files to listen with Roon.
SACD optical disk ripping cannot be read on an ordinary CD/DVD drive of a computer. The ripping requires special hardware to read a Super Audio CD.
To rip a SACD optical disk, the hardware is used in connection with sacd_extract utility.
The ripped DSD stream may be saved as .iso (SACD ISO) or .dsf/.dff files.
DFF files may cause issues with storing metadata.
DSD files in the ripping may cause issues with long path names and others. If using ripping software can't solve the issue, ripping to SACD ISO (.iso) files is recommended.
After it, ISO to DSF conversion may be applied...
SACD ripping ways:
May 23, 2022 updated | since May 04, 2017
Copyright © Yuri Korzunov
["Audiophile Inventory" (since 2011), "AudiVentory", "Audiophile Inventory by AudiVentory.com".
Также "Audiophile Inventory by AudiVentory.com" (прежде "Audiophile Inventory") охраняемое коммерческое обозначение],
2010-2022. All Rights Reserved.
All prices at this site in the U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes and fees. The prices are recommended. All information at this site is not a public offer.
Read about supported formats and third-party codecs