audio file converter software for music production and hi‑end audio Optimize music files to reach your device’s sound quality limit, get compatible audio format or save disk space. Read more...
Extract SACD ISO to FLAC [Mac Windows Definitive Guide]
Read quick start guide:
How to rip SACD ISO to FLAC?
Sound quality matters
Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
DSD ISO, SACD ISO to FLAC conversion is intended to adapt of playback format, sample rate, channel number of music files for audiophile equipment, portable players or mobile phones. Read step-by-step on how to rip sacd .iso file to FLAC and about sound-quality comparison.
Wait until the end of conversion.
(Converted (ripped) stuff is placed in the target directory)
If you got audible artifacts and distortions, it is rather an overload issue.
In Settings > General tab > "Output attenuator" field, set "-3 dB" or "-6 dB" or use peak level normalization** to achieve maximal loudness.
Read how to extract selected tracks...
Read more about troubleshooting...
WARNING:
DVD-audio/video, Blu-Ray, DVD/BluRay/CD ISO are NOT supported.
For Modula-R version, SACD ISO, DSF, DFF are supported in proper configurations.
For ISO tracks, DSF, DFF longer than 3 minutes, FREE edition mutes 2-second silence in the output middle and has other restrictions
*** All prices on this page are in 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.
Pricing
AuI ConverteR has several price/functionality options that allow saving your budget for the required functionality. You can expand Modula-R abilities later by purchasing new modules. Unlimited-time license, major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x > ... versions) are paid.
* All prices on this page are in 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.
ALL-INCLUDED Abilities [PROduce-RD edition]
[MINIMUM PRICE] for full functionality of AuI ConverteR, in comparison with Modula-R edition that is including all modules.
All abilities are included in PROduce-RD version. It allows saving budget, comparing purchasing of the full abilities (all modules) of Modula-R edition. Unlimited-time license, paid major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...).
Convert SACD ISO to FLAC[Modula-R edition]
[MINIMUM PRICE] configuration to convert SACD ISO, DSF/DFF(up to DSD128) to FLAC, WAV and other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float) [consists of 3 modules]
Converting ISO files to FLAC is sigma-delta (aka DSD) demodulation. DSD demodulator is a low-frequency filter.
There is no strict standard for the filter to achieve the proper result. Practically, we can vary the filtering band to achieve the best result on our equipment. Read more...
Direct Stream Digital signal is like a water (music) with oil (DSD high-frequency noise).
Oil pops up. The water is sinking. Both fractions are almost separate.
We can remove the upper fraction - oil. It's like low-frequency filter that removes high-frequency noise.
After the oil removing, only water (music) stays.
Oil-separating quality (noise filtering) defines how the water is pure (playback sound quality).
AuI ConverteR provides 3 filter bands: optionally from 20 kHz to 100 kHz. Bandwidth may be limited depending on input or output sample rates. Output sample rate limit target signal band.
AuI ConverteR vs a converter software: DSD64 to PCM 44.1 kHz aliases
In the ideal case, repeatable lines with lower brightness should not be visible. These lines show audible distortions, that correlate with the original signal.
The sound quality in the first approach:
high conversion quality is like an image on good photo paper;
low converter quality may be imagined as a drawing on a paper with some defects on its surface.
Bit depth and sample rate of converted files may provide different playback qualities to your system. It is bound with different playback modes. The mode is combination "bit depth + sample rate".
In general, you can convert SACD ISO to FLAC file in the maximum sample rate and bit depth of your DAC. But it doesn't guarantee, that you get the best result. Read details about music conversion and sound quality issues.
DSD to PCM format extraction applies the downsampling. Downsampling processing is based on filtering with various settings.
At Settings > General tab > set Filter mode:
"Optimized resampling filter" removes frequency range upper 20 kHz (ultrasound eliminating so that remove intermodulation distortions);
"Non-Optimized resampling filter" suppresses signal upper 20...24 kHz (defined by input/output sample rates). It means ultrasound elimination. So, it removes intermodulation distortions that are caused by wideband signals;
"Non-Optimized wide resampling filter" suppresses band upper 20...100 kHz (defined by input/output sample rates). It provides a wider band of a musical signal.
"G5 Optimized resampling filter" is the same as "Optimized resampling filter", but with a shorter ringing length.
At some equipment and/or software, "Non-Optimized..." modes can cause audible noise. You can watch it in this video.
Watch and share: Removing noise from high-resolution file
Therefore "Optimized..." mode is recommended as the first choice. However, you can prefer other settings.
Use minimum phase filter switch checked/unchecked minimum/linear phase filtering, respectively, in "Optimized..." mode. Other modes are implemented as the linear filter only.
Let's look at the oil (noise) in water (music) that was mentioned above.
The filter choice defines the kind of oil and water separation.
All filters provide high sound quality, but they give options according to your equipment and/or taste.
Dithering is applied to extracting 16-bit output resolution only. If the target resolution is 24 bits and more (including float point), the Dither button is ignored.
Tips and tricks
In the Settings, General tab:
FLAC compressing slider: set several compression levels. As rule, slider position altering gives minimum effect. The central slider position is recommended. The level doesn't impact sound quality.
Filter mode list: "Optimized resampling filter" is recommended. "Non-optimized ..." and "Non-optimized wide..." may cause noise and distortions.
"Optimized G5" is the most recommended filter. However, it works significantly slower than previous ones.
Read more...
Use minimum phase filter... switch unchecking is recommended.
Dithering mask depth... slider recommended set to the most left position. If you convert to 16 bit, in the main window of AuI ConverteR, compare sounding with Dither button ON and OFF.
Read more...
However, your individual choices may be other, than recommended here.
Select stereo/multichannel target stuff - check/uncheck Force read stereo track switch, respectively
(read details in Sound quality issues part of this article).
Skip pause before first track: check Skip pause for the first ISO track switch.
Skip pause between tracks: check Skip pause for all tracks switch
Pauses between tracks may contain clicks/pops.
Click OK button
To convert live concerts, operas and same albums: at the software's main window, Parameters tab, check True gapless mode switch **
SACD [optical disk] ripping is applied on special hardware tools with sacd_excract utility. Recommended target format is SACD ISO.
When you rip SACD optical disk to audio files (.dsf, .dff), long path/name of an extracted file, non-Latin symbols (in metadata) may cause an error in the file creation.
DFF file doesn't support metadata standard way.
After the Super Audio CD's ripping, you can convert:
Still no information, that author knows, about the implementation of DSF file playback on VLC.
Which is better DSD or FLAC?
We should discuss: which is better DSD or PCM (FLAC is included). In theory, DSD system desing is simpler. In the real world, there are subtle details. So, there is no single answer to the question. System design makes sound.
FLAC is PCM format. SACD is DSD format. Both formats has balance between advantages and disadvantages for each implementation. It defines sound quality for each given case. Read more...
Is WAV or FLAC better?
Commonly, FLAC is more recommended because no sound quality difference, but the lesser size and wider device compatibility (by metadata) of FLAC is there.
However, if you want to use high resolutions above 352/384 kHz, WAV allows it.
How do I play DSF files on Foobar?
How to play DSF and SACD ISO on foobar2000 read DSD guide...
Does AuI ConverteR contain its own SACD ISO extract codec?
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...
Is FLAC better than DSD?
What is better FLAC or DSD is a complex issue. It depending many factors: given recording, sound equipment, music software.
You can't read SACD optical disc on a computer. Only, some SONY VAIO models can do it with theis own software. Super Audio CD can be ripped...
Can I rip SACD to FLAC?
You can rip SACD with special hardware and software to DSF/DFF/SACD ISO. If your converter software uses sacd_extract utility to extract ISO and supports DSD to FLAC conversion, theoretically, the converting program can be tuned for ripping directly to FLAC.
![ALL-INCLUDED Abilities [PROduce-RD edition]](/soft/images/full-functionality2.png)
![Convert SACD ISO to FLAC[Modula-R edition]](/soft/images/iso-pcm-mod.png)
![SACD ISO file to FLAC expanded [Modula-R edition]](/soft/images/iso-flac-prll-norm-tgc-art.png)