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Topic: ABXing a DSD file against a FLAC (Read 3549 times) previous topic - next topic
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ABXing a DSD file against a FLAC

Using Foobar2000, I am able to convert a DSD file to a FLAC.  But FLAC is PCM and DSD is PDM.  When you convert to from DSD to FLAC, is there anything that will "give awa: which file is which?

I assume the when I play the DSD file in foobar2000, it just gets converted to PCM anyway, since most PC hardware can't play PDM audio natively.

Which leads to the question, does I need to use a DAC that can decode DSD in order to do a proper ABX test?

ABXing a DSD file against a FLAC

Reply #1 –
There must be several USB DACs with native dsd support over foo_asio but for an abx i doubt the PCM to dsd switching is mature enough. In the foobar subforum they may help you better,

Edit: there is also a SoX version around you can convert PCM to dsd before testing. https://github.com/mansr/sox
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

ABXing a DSD file against a FLAC

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Wombat on
There must be several USB DACs with native dsd support over foo_asio but for an abx i doubt the PCM to dsd switching is mature enough. In the foobar subforum they may help you better,

Edit: there is also a SoX version around you can convert PCM to dsd before testing. https://github.com/mansr/sox


It's good to know that SOX can make a DSD out of PCM file.

My real quesiton is, how essential is it to have a DAC with native DSD decoding in order to get valid results?  If whatever plugin for foobar2000 that I use just takes the DSD and converts it to PCM, am I conducting a valid test?

ABXing a DSD file against a FLAC

Reply #3 –
You will get different views about the validity. Imho 1bit PCM to 24bit PCM conversion is absolutely transparent.
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!