22-Nov-2020, 11:42
Last night, I've played about with a DSD album I downloaded from Native DSD https://www.nativedsd.com
I downloaded an album that I already have as a 24/192 PCM album: Feenbrothers Play Dave Brubeck https://www.nativedsd.com/catalogue/albu...e-brubeck/
It's a beautifully recorded one mic setup that I very much like! Whether the DSD file is simply a converted PCM file, I don't know.
I first started my listening via USB, as I've read in some forums here that DoP can only be done in Devialet via USB. So I dragged my Allo USBridge Signature along with the Shanti linear power supply to my Devialet and re-cabled everything to USB (as a matter of fact, I want to get rid of the USBridge Signature). Setup was easy, in the 'Device Setup', I set 'DSD Playback Strategy' to 'DSD over PCM' and that was it (see attached screenshot).
The first thing that struck me was that the DSD file was not as loud as the PCM file. Also, I did hear a difference, not prominent, though, but clearly audible, that the DSD file sounded a bit smoother. Particularly the cymbals sounded very smooth, whereas in the PCM file they tended to sound a bit brighter and harsher, but not much. On the other hand, the piano sounded better, more lively in the PCM file. After switching back and fourth, I decided it was a draw: DSD has some advantages for reproducing certain instruments and vice versa for PCM.
Then I removed the USBridge Signature out of the signal path and went back to Ethernet connection. Much to my surprise, the Devialet was able to play the DSD file without any problems (see attached file). And there I couldn't make out any difference between the PCM and DSD file.
So the difference I heard with USB could very well be generated by the USBridge, or maybe not.
In any case, I'll stay with Ethernet, as this is by far the simplest, and also to my ears, the best sounding mode of operation. But ?ll keep an eye on DSD!
I downloaded an album that I already have as a 24/192 PCM album: Feenbrothers Play Dave Brubeck https://www.nativedsd.com/catalogue/albu...e-brubeck/
It's a beautifully recorded one mic setup that I very much like! Whether the DSD file is simply a converted PCM file, I don't know.
I first started my listening via USB, as I've read in some forums here that DoP can only be done in Devialet via USB. So I dragged my Allo USBridge Signature along with the Shanti linear power supply to my Devialet and re-cabled everything to USB (as a matter of fact, I want to get rid of the USBridge Signature). Setup was easy, in the 'Device Setup', I set 'DSD Playback Strategy' to 'DSD over PCM' and that was it (see attached screenshot).
The first thing that struck me was that the DSD file was not as loud as the PCM file. Also, I did hear a difference, not prominent, though, but clearly audible, that the DSD file sounded a bit smoother. Particularly the cymbals sounded very smooth, whereas in the PCM file they tended to sound a bit brighter and harsher, but not much. On the other hand, the piano sounded better, more lively in the PCM file. After switching back and fourth, I decided it was a draw: DSD has some advantages for reproducing certain instruments and vice versa for PCM.
Then I removed the USBridge Signature out of the signal path and went back to Ethernet connection. Much to my surprise, the Devialet was able to play the DSD file without any problems (see attached file). And there I couldn't make out any difference between the PCM and DSD file.
So the difference I heard with USB could very well be generated by the USBridge, or maybe not.
In any case, I'll stay with Ethernet, as this is by far the simplest, and also to my ears, the best sounding mode of operation. But ?ll keep an eye on DSD!
SonicTransporter i5 - AirPort Extreme - Devialet Expert 120 - ATC SCM 19 v1
