Hi
small comparison of converters.
1) generate test files, RMAA 6.4
24bit 88.2 kHz
2) convert to dsd64 and dsd128 :
software : Saracon
gain: 0db
8th order
3) conversion to pcm 24bit 88.2 :
(all tests in 24 / 88 mode)
3.1) Saracon
gain 0db
tpdf dither
3.2)
foobar old version: 1.1.8 (with foobar new: 1.3.5 - some problems)
sacd plugin: 0.7.3 + filters
4) analyze in RMAA
overall results:
Testing chain: Saracon+foobar dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)
Sampling mode: 24-bit, 88 kHz
Summary
[TABLE=align: center]
[TR=bgcolor: #C0C8AF]
[TD]Test[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+Saracon dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)-p2d-d2p[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old multistage dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)-p2d[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old direct 30khz dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)-p2d[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old I FIR 30khz dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)-p2d[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old I FIR 40khz dsd64 (88 kHz 24-bit)-p2d[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Noise level, dB (A):[/TD]
[TD]-141.9[/TD]
[TD]-140.9[/TD]
[TD]-119.0[/TD]
[TD]-144.9[/TD]
[TD]-144.0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Dynamic range, dB (A):[/TD]
[TD]133.1[/TD]
[TD]132.9[/TD]
[TD]119.7[/TD]
[TD]133.3[/TD]
[TD]133.3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]THD, %:[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[TD]0.0001[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]IMD + Noise, %:[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[TD]0.0004[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Stereo crosstalk, dB:[/TD]
[TD]-140.9[/TD]
[TD]-140.0[/TD]
[TD]-117.9[/TD]
[TD]-145.1[/TD]
[TD]-144.3[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
dsd128:
Testing chain: Saracon + foobar-old comparison dsd128 (88-24)
Sampling mode: 24-bit, 88 kHz
Summary
[TABLE=align: center]
[TR=bgcolor: #C0C8AF]
[TD]Test[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+Saracon dsd128 (88 kHz 24-bit)[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old multistage dsd128 (88 kHz 24-bit)[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old direct 30khz dsd128 (88 kHz 24-bit)[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old I FIR 30khz dsd128 (88 kHz 24-bit)[/TD]
[TD]Saracon+foobar-old I FIR 40khz dsd128 (88 kHz 24-bit)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[TD]-1000.00, +1000.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Noise level, dB (A):[/TD]
[TD]-142.0[/TD]
[TD]-143.8[/TD]
[TD]-101.2[/TD]
[TD]-95.6[/TD]
[TD]-69.2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Dynamic range, dB (A):[/TD]
[TD]133.1[/TD]
[TD]133.2[/TD]
[TD]98.1[/TD]
[TD]92.5[/TD]
[TD]66.7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]THD, %:[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[TD]0.0000[/TD]
[TD]0.0010[/TD]
[TD]0.0016[/TD]
[TD]0.017[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]IMD + Noise, %:[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[TD]0.0002[/TD]
[TD]0.0075[/TD]
[TD]0.012[/TD]
[TD]0.146[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=bgcolor: #C0C8AF, align: left]Stereo crosstalk, dB:[/TD]
[TD]-142.2[/TD]
[TD]-142.0[/TD]
[TD]-114.0[/TD]
[TD]-99.4[/TD]
[TD]-64.8[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]16122[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]16123[/ATTACH]
full data with graph in archive : https://mega.co.nz/#!AtAiQBJZ!hAO63eHChij5fErOFDRs64veqNC8-85QU6r_vepFIAU
Conclusion :
Saracon is all-good, "reference tool" for DSD conversion, but it's usability isn't fine for me.
Excellent HF suppression filter in both modes, DSD64 and DSD128.
Tool from one forum for "all-in-one" conversion with Saracon, unfortunately, isn't fine for me.
Foobar SACD plugin : (sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/)
foobar + convert mode multistage : all good in DSD64 and 128, without distortions,
but, in case with DSD64, very huge ultrasonic (noise shaping) noise is still present,
and at DAC/AMP stage this noise will produce additional distortions - it's level depends from DAC class, but it will.
In case of DSD128 noise shaping still present, but noise levels is much lower, and it starts ~~ at 40 khz.
You may filter it or not - ultrasonic noise has very low energy.
I not tested DSD256 files (can't produce test file, my Saracon only can 64/128), but I looked my dsd256-converted files in SoundForge and don't find any sufficient ultrasonic noise from noise shaping.
foobar + convert mode : direct filter 30khz .
DSD64:
Yes, ultrasonic noise at 30-44khz successfully suppressed (not as good, as with Saracon).
But this filter add some noise and distortions, add for full range from bass to treble.
Why author of SACD plugin use this mode ? Dont' know.
==========
foobar + convert mode : installable filter 30khz
DSD64 : ultrasonic noise filtered worse, than with Saracon, slightly worse, than with direct filter, but without any visible noise and distortions. (But I think, that this level of filtration is sufficient for most DACs...)
foobar + convert mode installable filter 40khz : same result,
but with 40 khz ноdue to a higher cutoff frequency filter practically filter is practically useless for DSD64 discs / files.
Next,
foobar + convert mode: installable filter 30+40 khz , DSD128:
Heh, we arrived. What is it ? 8=-)
With direct filter 30khz we see some noise and distortions, but with installable filter 30/40 khz we see much more noise and distortions.
may be, convertor + filters writed, optimized and tested only for dsd64 files ?
Final conclusion : SAracon is excellent for DSD64 / 128, but with low usability.
for DSD64 conversion you may use Foobar + installable filter 30khz ,
and may use Foobar multistage, but sound will depend from your DAC, how it can play this ultrasonic noise.
for DSD128 conversion : use Saracon or Foobar + multistage
for DSD256 conversion : Foobar multistage. (may be, new Saracon can work with DSD256? )
