Hello everyone,
I'm hoping the collective wisdom here can help me out. I've been on a long, sometimes maddening, journey trying to truly hear the benefits of my SACD collection. I've ripped about 50 SACDs to DSF files and am streaming them via Serviio. My Arcam ST60 plays them, but the display always shows 352.8 kHz PCM, not native DSD. I later learned the Arcam converts all DSD to PCM internally.
Thinking I needed a "true native DSD" streamer, I recently acquired a 3D LAB NanoPlayer Platinum V5, which is highly regarded. But to my dismay, its web interface *also* shows "PCM 352.8 kHz" when playing DSD files, even with the volume set to "Fixed." After some deep digging, I found out the NanoPlayer uses Leedh Processing for volume control, which operates only in the PCM domain and converts DSD to PCM before the analog output stage. So I'm essentially back to square one—both my streamers are "PCMifying" my DSD files.
I've done careful level-matched A/B tests between the Arcam, the NanoPlayer, and Tidal MAX on tracks like Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" and Nils Lofgren's "Keith Don't Go." I have a well-treated room and what I think is a resolving system. The result? I cannot hear a meaningful, repeatable difference. The Tidal version sounds virtually identical. It's been a humbling, and frankly, a bit of a defeating experience.
So my questions are:
1. **DSD to PCM conversion:** Is this conversion in high-quality streamers audibly transparent, or is it the reason I'm not hearing the SACD "magic"
(better dynamics, smoother treble, etc.)?
2. **What does true native DSD playback actually require?** Is it a DAC with a specific chip (AKM vs ESS), or is it the R2R ladder architecture that
everyone talks about?
3. **R2R DAC recommendations:** If R2R is the way, what are the best options available in India? I'm looking at the Gustard R26/R30, Denafrips Pontus 15th. My budget is around ₹1-2L, but I'm flexible for the right solution. I'm in Chennai, so auditioning is tough.
4. **Path 1 vs. Path 2:** Should I replace my streamer entirely with an all-in-one R2R network player (Path 1), or use my Arcam as a digital transport into a dedicated R2R DAC (Path 2)? My gut says Path 1 to avoid any potential "PCM bottleneck" in the Arcam's digital output.
Any insights, experiences, or dealer recommendations would be hugely appreciated. I'm at a point where I'm questioning my own ears and the entire audiophile pursuit, so some real-world guidance would mean the world.
Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom!
I'm hoping the collective wisdom here can help me out. I've been on a long, sometimes maddening, journey trying to truly hear the benefits of my SACD collection. I've ripped about 50 SACDs to DSF files and am streaming them via Serviio. My Arcam ST60 plays them, but the display always shows 352.8 kHz PCM, not native DSD. I later learned the Arcam converts all DSD to PCM internally.
Thinking I needed a "true native DSD" streamer, I recently acquired a 3D LAB NanoPlayer Platinum V5, which is highly regarded. But to my dismay, its web interface *also* shows "PCM 352.8 kHz" when playing DSD files, even with the volume set to "Fixed." After some deep digging, I found out the NanoPlayer uses Leedh Processing for volume control, which operates only in the PCM domain and converts DSD to PCM before the analog output stage. So I'm essentially back to square one—both my streamers are "PCMifying" my DSD files.
I've done careful level-matched A/B tests between the Arcam, the NanoPlayer, and Tidal MAX on tracks like Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" and Nils Lofgren's "Keith Don't Go." I have a well-treated room and what I think is a resolving system. The result? I cannot hear a meaningful, repeatable difference. The Tidal version sounds virtually identical. It's been a humbling, and frankly, a bit of a defeating experience.
So my questions are:
1. **DSD to PCM conversion:** Is this conversion in high-quality streamers audibly transparent, or is it the reason I'm not hearing the SACD "magic"
(better dynamics, smoother treble, etc.)?
2. **What does true native DSD playback actually require?** Is it a DAC with a specific chip (AKM vs ESS), or is it the R2R ladder architecture that
everyone talks about?
3. **R2R DAC recommendations:** If R2R is the way, what are the best options available in India? I'm looking at the Gustard R26/R30, Denafrips Pontus 15th. My budget is around ₹1-2L, but I'm flexible for the right solution. I'm in Chennai, so auditioning is tough.
4. **Path 1 vs. Path 2:** Should I replace my streamer entirely with an all-in-one R2R network player (Path 1), or use my Arcam as a digital transport into a dedicated R2R DAC (Path 2)? My gut says Path 1 to avoid any potential "PCM bottleneck" in the Arcam's digital output.
Any insights, experiences, or dealer recommendations would be hugely appreciated. I'm at a point where I'm questioning my own ears and the entire audiophile pursuit, so some real-world guidance would mean the world.
Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom!
