What is DSD audio? A niche digital music format
There’s no exact way of striking equivalence between PCM and DSD but it’s around the same as 24-bit/88.2kHz PCM. In terms of dynamic range, DSD is claimed to be around 120dB in the audible frequency range. In comparison, CD measures around 96dB, and 24-bit/192kHz recordings have a theoretical maximum of around 144dB.
Native DSD versus DOP comparison - DAC - Digital to Analog
As far as I am concerned the only "disadvantage" for DoP is that it requires high rate PCM capability for those who want to be able to playback high rate DSD files: DSD 64 requires a 176.4 PCM package, DSD 128 requires a 352.8 PCM package, and DSD 256 requires a 705.6 PCM package.
Is DSD native vs DoP determined by DAC or implementation
DoP is a method for transporting DSD audio over USB ports that do not have a DSD driver. As computers cannot play a DSD file... Ohms "I can't imagine purchasing a piece of audio equipment, then purchasing another piece of equipment to make it sound better, why not purchase a better piece of equipment in the first place…"----AudiOhm
"Best DAC List 2025 - Digital Analogue Converters - Audiophile ON
The format choices are endless, with high-level DSD support (DSD 512, DXD, PCM 768 plus an MQA decoder) and high-resolution Bluetooth and Wifi input options. The DAC itself is a highly regarded Burr Brown Quad Dual Core chipset. The crazy spec sheet continues when it comes to options for outputting your music. The options here are as follows:
Cheap dsd native dac (no DoP?) - Steve Hoffman Music Forums
When it gets to the DAC chip, it gets unpackaged and played as a proper DSD stream. Some DSD DACs can't really handle DSD, or rather the DAC chip can but the (USB) controller chip can't. So DoP seems the only way to make those devices work. DoP requires some quite ridiculous PCM sampling rates if you want the higher DSD rates.
- What is the difference between native DSD and DOP?
- They pointed out that native DSD allows for much higher bitrates, scaling up to DSD1024, whereas DOP is capped at DSD128 unless your PCM output is serving higher rates. In the audiophile community, where every detail matters, a specification like bitrate can greatly influence the listening experience.
- Should I use a native DSD DAC?
- User mfolives noted that if your DAC is equipped to handle a native DSD signal, you’d be missing out by not utilizing it. They pointed out that native DSD allows for much higher bitrates, scaling up to DSD1024, whereas DOP is capped at DSD128 unless your PCM output is serving higher rates.
- What's the difference between DOP DSD & non-DOP DSD?
- The only difference is the wrapper, not the DSD data. Once the package is accepted by the USB input on the DAC, it is processed the same way as non DoP DSD. If someone says they are sonically different, let them prove it (hint: they can't). And again: DoP DSD is "native DSD". The DSD itself hasn't been altered.
- What does non native DSD mean?
- Non native DSD is supposed to mean DSD that's been altered by conversion to PCM , or possibly multibit DSD (point of contention), which is what many forms of playback/processing do to DSD. This has nothing to do with the DSD file being sent as DoP or not.
- Does native DSD present 5 tracks in DSD 512 stereo?
- We are pleased to announce the availability of Native DSD Presents 5 Tracks in DSD 512. The album brings you some of the highest quality DSD 256 stereo recordings from the NativeDSD Music catalog in DSD 512 stereo. This special album made its debut at 2019 High End Munich.
- What is a stereo DSD 512 DAC?
- The sonic advantage to these new Stereo DSD 512 releases, as with all higher DSD bit rate releases, is the wider frequency passband prior to the onset of modulation noise. This results in the listener’s DAC using gentler and more phase linear filters for playback of the music.
