Thread: Channel DSD Downloads

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Post by rammiepie February 16, 2012 (61 of 140)
DSD said:

Those are NOT downloads but physical data DVDs.

The Reference Recordings 24/176/4kHz HRx's retail for $45 and they have released 19 so far, compared to 3 SACDs which retail for $23. The HRx's are WAV files, there are now some players that will play the WAV files directly off the DVD for the rest of us we have to put in the disc and load them into our computer. I have no idea why HRx's cost twice as much as SACDs though.

Chesky's 12 data DVDs are 24/192kHz and they also retail for $45 each.

Thanks, Teresa, for the clarification.

So can we safely assume that Reference Recordings and Chesky have both bowed out of the SACD market in favor of DVD WAV DVDs?

Reference had announced that they would release more mch SACDs some time ago but I suppose with 19 DVDs under their belts.........this will no longer be a reality.

Teresa, what was your impression of the MA and RR data DVDs/ DVD~ROMs?

Also, Teresa, my latest arrival Foreigner: Double Vision (MoFi SACD) says on the back of the gatefold package: Made In The USA and I don't think they are referring to the packaging (which would normally say PRINTED in the USA)........any thoughts on that? All current AP SACDs have a small sticker on the back saying: Disc Made In Austria............

Post by DSD February 16, 2012 (62 of 140)
rammiepie said:

Teresa, what was your impression of the MA and RR data DVDs/ DVD~ROMs?

MA Recordings High Resolution Audio Data DVD discs
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue53/ma_recordings.htm

Reference Recordings HRx (Rachmaninoff) - second review
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue50/reference_recordings.htm

Janice Mancuso said there may be one possibly two SACDs released by the end of the year, they will be multichannel, HRx is stereo only.

Sounds like an SACD pressing plant in USA may be at least partially open or it could be a typo?

Post by Naun February 16, 2012 (63 of 140)
rammiepie said:

But to pay upwards of $40 for the exact same DSD files being released to the SACD producer with multichannel capabilities, booklets and cases is NOT enticing, at least to this poster on SA~CD.net!

I very much doubt if the intended market for high-priced DSD downloads is people whose systems are optimized for SACD playback. I expect there's a growing number of computer audio enthusiasts whose systems are built around computer playback and would be prepared to pay a premium for DSD downloads. It would not make much sense for these people to spend large sums on an SACD player so they could save $20 on a download -- they'd have to buy a lot of discs to make that worthwhile. As long as Channel continues to offer the same titles on SACD I don't see a problem.

Post by tailspn February 17, 2012 (64 of 140)
alan_dorkin said:

A 100 buck universal player with DSD HDMI out can read those SACD, you start "making profit" after buying 5 SACDs. Only that somebody needs to make a reasonably priced DSD DAC with HDMI in. This of course does not help the problem of not getting the pure DSD files on your HDD. So it looks like the recording companies are taking an advantage of the copy protection system: if you really want a DSD file, you pay for it! Even though it is just stereo, no booklet, and easy to loose (as we all know all to well).

Hi alan,

The simple answer to your observation is continue to purchase and enjoy SACDs. They're not going away anytime soon. Actually, with the releases from Japan of legacy recordings on SACD, as well as pop titles, there's been a significant uptick in releases. Also, DSD Disk has yet to get traction, but it will. There's just too much acceptance of the superiority of DSD recording and playback for it to do anything but grow in the high end Hi-Rez community. Downloads are just another component and delivery system, adding to the existing SACD delivery system.

But playing those files is very different, and this is where music servers and computer audio enter. I've had a Sonoma DSD editing workstation for five years now, and no longer ever listen to the actual SACD disk I purchased. It's to me like stereo, it gives me a headache. Once you experience the ability to instantly access and load any of several hundred complete works, then have instant access to any point along that works time line, and instantly change to any other point in time, you would not enjoy the seemingly clunkiness of loading and scrolling at 2X/4X speeds through the work when playing the actual disk. I admit, I may be the only person in the world who wants to listen to music that way, but I doubt it.

The point is that the music server business, while now in its infancy, will grow dramatically in future years. Labels and production companies are going to produce products tailored to that market, and will quickly stabilize on a price structure appropriate to it. It's a new audio world. Join it, or enjoy the existing.

Post by Chris February 17, 2012 (65 of 140)
Good news indeed,having just landed in Singapore late last night, I will search for the Mytek here.
I have been thinking of getting the Mytek ever since it was announced and with Channel DSD Masterfiles now for sale as downloads I will try to buy one while here.
Anybody here who knows where and/if it is available in town?

Post by audioholik February 18, 2012 (66 of 140)
Nagraboy said:

Looks like NAD and Levinson missed a trick not making their DACs DSD-compatible. Oh well...

Maybe some companies are waiting for OPPO to manufacture a DSD DAC so that they can later repackage/improve it? Anyway, I'd like to audition a few such converters before buying one.

BTW I've heard that Fostex is about to introduce its DSD-compatible DAC, but in order to play the DSD files (.dsf) you'll have to copy these files to a SDHC card. Furthermore, the AK4399 dac chip won't be able to play DSD128 files.

"Model HP-A8 is a Fostex’s flagship DAC Headphone Amplifier offering
finely built analog and digital circuitry designs as well as epoch-making
DSD file reproduction function."
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/latest_news/HP-A8_PRELIMINARY_E.pdf

Post by audioholik February 18, 2012 (67 of 140)
Kal Rubinson said:

And so I told them. I also noted that the ML lacked an HDMI output.

Kal

Kal, are there any chances we'll see Mytek's DSD DAC reviewed in the Stereophile?

Post by Peter February 18, 2012 (68 of 140)
and surround files?

http://cybele.de/klassische-musik/johann-sebastian-bach-goldberg-variationen-aria-mit-verschiedenen-veranderungen-bwv-988

In this case, the DSD surround file is marginally dearer than the SACD.

Post by Nagraboy February 18, 2012 (69 of 140)
audioholik said:

Maybe some companies are waiting for OPPO to manufacture a DSD DAC so that they can later repackage/improve it? Anyway, I'd like to audition a few such converters before buying one.

BTW I've heard that Fostex is about to introduce its DSD-compatible DAC, but in order to play the DSD files (.dsf) you'll have to copy these files to a SDHC card. Furthermore, the AK4399 dac chip won't be able to play DSD128 files.

"Model HP-A8 is a Fostex’s flagship DAC Headphone Amplifier offering
finely built analog and digital circuitry designs as well as epoch-making
DSD file reproduction function."
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/latest_news/HP-A8_PRELIMINARY_E.pdf

I don't see why it would too difficult to produce a DSD-capable USB DAC for most manufacturers now. There are loads of DAC chips that can already handle DSD, so all that's required is to put the new decoding software in place prior to the DAC. But if eg. Oppo made one, others could simply make changes like casework, output stage, PSU, socketry and display It would certainly be a good addition to the many desktop USB headphone amps.

Post by tailspn February 18, 2012 (70 of 140)
Nagraboy said:

I don't see why it would too difficult to produce a DSD-capable USB DAC for most manufacturers now. There are loads of DAC chips that can already handle DSD, so all that's required is to put the new decoding software in place prior to the DAC. But if eg. Oppo made one, others could simply make changes like casework, output stage, PSU, socketry and display It would certainly be a good addition to the many desktop USB headphone amps.

Absolutely! +1

That's a path that would finally spur growth, and drastically increase the market size, for both DSD downloads, AND SACD, by exposing more consumers to the sonic advantages of DSD content.

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