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alexcount

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  1. The playback designs MPD-3 certainly was first with their USB-X expansion, but I am really impressed by the promise of no driver for OS X DSD playback. I have read the USB-X uses PureMusic on OS X, maybe some kind of standard is being developed. No reports yet from any vendor on *nix/Linux support. There are a few ultra-boutique audiophile and professional solutions, but hopefully more affordable and commonly available equipment will begin to support it. The fact that the USBPAL from rigisystems seems to be the core of the Mytek 192 USB-DAC gives me hope almost any developer of a USB-DAC can support DSD, if we get some sort of standard driver model. The ExaU2I is also the first DIY DXD&DSD solution, hopefully OS X support is close for DSD. This is a new revolution, we can now start ripping DSD from SACD's and carry them in our pocket like a common MP3. Or to take our collection anywhere in the world, not tied to a house, how long have we all waited for this, I have been waiting since the introduction of SACD more than 10 years ago! What digital advantage can they mean, when you are tied to a physical format that inevitably degrades. Nothing short of availability of playback equipment to a much broader base will save DSD from obscurity. -Alex
  2. If they hold true on the promise of a standard driver, it will be a great thing for DSD. In my mind nothing short of that will give DSD any hope of wider acceptance in the market. It needs to be easier for developers to support DSD on as many platforms as possible (Windows/OS X/*nix).
  3. The PS3 has become the first computer able to rip SACD's with all the advantages we enjoy currently with CD's (faster than real-time ripping, bit-perfect verified copies, etc.) For the first time consumers who invested in SACD collections can backup there music, no longer a slave to media. There are flash memory and hard drive based DSD players on the market from Korg, yet not one portable SACD player, what are consumers supposed to do? The ExaU2I has developed software and recently people have been able to play up to DSD 5.6Mhz files, DFF format, 4 channel at that! Quite a development, now there is a way for anyone to make a DSD DAC easily, though only windows is supported at the moment. For those wanting to record and playback DSD at 2.8Mhz and 5.6Mhz with there own homebrew solution can get the ElectrArt UDA USB-Dual-Audio interface from Japan, and start experimenting. The SDTran192 project was the first commonly availible DXD solution in the market for hobbyist use, also requiring a custom DAC, no support for DSD but worth mention for moving things forward in ultra-high-resolution formats. I have been archiving many tapes and Vinyl as 5.6Mz DSD 128fs DFF files, so far I am impressed by the sound quality, still not indistinguishable from my analog setup, but there are many variables to take into account, from the analog stages to the power supplies and wiring, and of course choice of ADC/DAC. The Mytek Stereo192 USB DAC has support for DSD over SDIF and apparently USB, though no software or driver exists as of right now, as far as I'm aware. This is also great, as it is the first commercial DAC that offers DSD over USB. Word on the street says it might be based on the Rigisystems USBPAL usb interface, which means it might support DXD in the future through an update, as the ESS Sabre ES9016 DAC it uses supports DXD (I believe, if it does not then there is one good reason Mytek should have used a ES9018...) Well finally DSD on the computer has some hope. DSD downloads are gaining popularity in Japan, and hopefully this will become an international trend. Without the most basic of benefits afforded by digital audio for DSD it can't stand a chance in the iPod age. We need the ability to make bitperfect backups of our purchased music, to create a collection of music on computer easily browsed, and the ability to use the DAC of our choice, these are all fundamental FAIR USE rights as consumers. -Alexcount
  4. Anyone experimenting with computer based DSD audio? I recently got an interface from ElectrArt a japanese company, which although very basic allows DSD to be played from a windows pc with there proprietary software. Initial tests are good, still have lot's of experimenting to do. Had a problem with recording loosing sync (caused by dc spikes from my waterpump/fridge,) solved so far by complete battery isolation for all digital supplies, and I am about to try isolation transformers, some triad n-68x's, to allow running off AC. This is a similar problem reported by people using the ES9018 with i2c input and various usb-i2c interfaces, but I have not had this problem AT ALL with playback through the ElectrArt, only with recording. Still confident all problems can be overcome with proper supply design, The only other product I can find like this is from Rigisystems, a swiss company. There product the USBPAL also supports DSD apparently, but without software to play DSD they leave it your job to implement (programming required AFAIK). There kit is around the same price ($250 for an built evaulaton kit), but offers more bang for your buck (8 channel DSD i/o, plus DXD i/o, and a pretty good driver/software/documentation package) except for a lack of dsd software, the Rigisystems kit appears much more refined. Anyone Try the new Mytek? not sure if they are even shipping yet, but DSD is supposed to be supported. no word yet on what playback software for dsd is planned or if the driver for DSD is ASIO 2.1. I have no connection with either of these projects other than ordering one to try, just want to tell people there are options for experimenters.
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