Test your dac

[24bit]

Interesting test files all derived from the same DXD 352 studio master file.

http://www.soundliaison.com/all-categories/6-compare-formats

Which format is best for your DAC?
Every DAC has it's own character, some sounds better using PCM files and some sounds better using DSD files...... Some people find the convenience of FLAC files more important.
Here on this page is a list containing 2 minutes of a song in 11 different formats.

The song is called 'A Fool For You' and is performed by Carmen Gomes Inc.
It’s taken from the album 'Carmen Sings The Blues'.
http://soundliaison.com/studio-showcase-series/276-carmen-gomes-sings-the-blues

All the different formats have the same source file, DXD 352kHz (Studio Master).
We used the AUL ConverteR 48x44 for the conversion to DSD and Wavelab for the conversion to the other PCM formats and FLAC.

When you compare different sample rates always start with the lowest resolution.
During listening don't focus too much, hearing is as individual as taste but hearing is also something which can be acquired, like the taste of good wine.

You can choose from the following formats:
1. DXD 352kHz
2. PCM 192kHz
3. PCM 176kHz
4. PCM 96kHz
5. PCM 44kHz
6. DSD 256
7. DSD 128
8. DSD 64
9 . FLAC 352kHz
10. FLAC 192kHz
11. FLAC 96kHz

 

[marty]

I'm not sure I understand why this is a relevant test of formats for DAC playback since the file is a DXD file to begin with. There is no native DSD file. Wouldn't that be the more relevant test for DSD playback? Or do I misunderstand the objective of the exercise?

 

[Believe High Fidelity]

what are the differences in conversion from the original DXD to the PCM and to the FLAC files.

I ask because I can take the main DXD file and do my own conversion for each sample rate.

Great recording BTW...

 

[YashN]

Wouldn't that be the more relevant test for DSD playback?

Yes, that would indeed be better.

 

[Empirical Audio]

This is the perfect test disk to see if you can hear a difference in these formats and whether Hi-res is worthwhile in your system.

I can even hear the difference in uncompressed FLAC, AIFF and .wav in my system. I don't even need compressed tracks to hear differences. This is why I use exclusively .wav files.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

 

[24bit]

I'm not sure I understand why this is a relevant test of formats for DAC playback since the file is a DXD file to begin with. There is no native DSD file. Wouldn't that be the more relevant test for DSD playback? Or do I misunderstand the objective of the exercise?

I think the idea is too see which format your DAC handles better.
Native DSD are selling DXD albums as well, so the format is somewhat accepted..... ....as a format for making a DSD master

 

[Bso]

I think the idea is too see which format your DAC handles better.
Native DSD are selling DXD albums as well, so the format is somewhat accepted..... ....as a format for making a DSD master

+1