Yes, it would be better if PLEX just have ability to directly play DSD/DSF to a USB DAC. But until that happens, I think we can just do this.
I have recently starting to use PLEX as my hires music server and I have quite a collection of DSD/DSF music. I have a DSD capable USB DAC and I want to use PLEX media player to bit-perfectly playback my music. This is what I have found:
PLEX normally transcode DSF to some other codec. In order to achieve a bit-perfect DSF playback you need to do some work ahead (not too much work, totally worth it for us audiophile people).
If your DSD is in disk images, google âISO2DSDâ. It is a software that extract DSF files from ISO images. Donât worry, it is bit-perfect.
Now you have DSF files, google âDSD2FLACâ. It is a software that transcode DSF files to FLAC files. Use this software and remember check the FLAC/DoP box, it will repack you DSF in a DoP manner. Again, Donât worry, it is bit-perfect.
Done. PLEX will direct play FLAC and if your PMP is set to exclusive mode, your DSD will now be bit-perfectly transfered to you USB dac for decoding. And all the metadata and artwork will be preserved.
Of course there are other software like RoonLabs or Foobar. But given the beautiful UI, cross platform compatibility, and price(free) of PLEX, I choose PLEX.
@cong314159 said:
3. Now you have DSF files, google âDSD2FLACâ. It is a software that transcode DSF files to FLAC files. Use this software and remember check the FLAC/DoP box, it will repack you DSF in a DoP manner. Again, Donât worry, it is bit-perfect.
There is no way to convert DSD data into conventional PCM data and then give this process the description âbit-perfectâ.
You will always only get an âapproximationâ. How close an approximation, depends in the sample rate and bit-depth you choose for the conversion.
(It is said that the regular DSF from Super Audio CDs is roughly comparable to PCM with 96kHz and 24 bit depth, so Iâd say picking a greater SR or bit depth doesnât make much sense.)
@cong314159 said:
3. Now you have DSF files, google âDSD2FLACâ. It is a software that transcode DSF files to FLAC files. Use this software and remember check the FLAC/DoP box, it will repack you DSF in a DoP manner. Again, Donât worry, it is bit-perfect.
There is no way to convert DSD data into conventional PCM data and then give this process the description âbit-perfectâ.
You will always only get an âapproximationâ. How close an approximation, depends in the sample rate and bit-depth you choose for the conversion.
(It is said that the regular DSF from Super Audio CDs is roughly comparable to PCM with 96kHz and 24 bit depth, so Iâd say picking a greater SR or bit depth doesnât make much sense.)
Please donât mislead other reader.
DoP is the standard to transfer DSD over PCM, the reason this method is bit perfect is that it is not converting, it is simply repacking. It is neither approximating nor interpolating.
What happens, if you tap the - key on your keyboard during playback of such a file?
If the volume gets only slightly quieter, I think it is not Direct Playing.
If it is suddenly a very low level noise, I will believe it is Direct Playing.
@OttoKerner said:
What happens, if you tap the - key on your keyboard during playback of such a file?
If the volume gets only slightly quieter, I think it is not Direct Playing.
If it is suddenly a very low level noise, I will believe it is Direct Playing.
If you handle volume digitally, its a multiplier. Why would you get a low level noiseïŒ
@OttoKerner said:
What happens, if you tap the - key on your keyboard during playback of such a file?
If the volume gets only slightly quieter, I think it is not Direct Playing.
If it is suddenly a very low level noise, I will believe it is Direct Playing.
Actually, you are correct. I tried lowering the volume a little bit, and the music turned into a hissing low noise.
Thanks for this helpful info. I checked the DSD2FLAC software and discovered itâs only available for MAC OSX and Linux. For Windows users (as i am) dBpoweramp has a codec that will convert DSD to DoP - see dBpoweramp site under âCodec Centralâ. Yes, I also wish Plex would provide a DoP output option for dsd (like JRiver). But for the price Iâm not complaining and Plex is very nice product.
