What is the DSD Format?
- Lou Okkerman
- Jan 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 10, 2023
DSD is most widely know as the audio format that is used on an SACD disc. However there is no actual music file called .dsd. Instead it comes in 2 basic flavours, .dsf & .dff. The latter was used in the early days when files were shared between studios and when DSD downloads first became available, as downloads one could purchase from a label, but it was soon realised that for such downloads .dsf was better because it could be tagged.
DSD as on an SACD disc
Has a third format called DST this is used on all Multi Channel SACDs and some stereo only SACDs. It is DSD's lossless compression method, which is a little more efficient than the common PCM lossless compression method that results in a .flac file.
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is a high-resolution audio technology used on Super Audio Compact Discs (SACD). It is a lossless digital audio format that stores data at a 1-bit resolution much higher than CDs, and allows for higher dynamic range and transparency than Redbook PCM, the audio format found on CDs.
By contrast, Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM) is the basis for the standard coding used for the Redbook specification (in this case 16 bits at a sampling rate of 44,100 Hz, - 44,100 samples per second). There are many different types of sampling rates and bit depths, that are used extensively in audio. The most common for Hi-resolution audio is 24 bits and a sampling rate of 44,100Hz (the same rate as with CD) and 24 bits at 96,000Hz, which is a DVD-Audio standard, now used for commercial digital downloads.
LINKS:
The latter link is a great site for reference downloads. Although the as the site is written in German, it will require a translating browser.
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