Cambridge Audio Azur 650BD - audiosociety.orgaudiosociety.org/audioletter/Audioletter Jun...
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by Bruce Brown Pacific Northwest Audio Society, P.O. Box 435, Mercer Island, WA 98040 ● www.audiosociety.org DSD is a method of storing a Delta- Sigma signal before applying a "decimation" process that converts the signal to a PCM signal. As a release format, SACD is the only one actually using this 1-bit data, but as an internal processing format it’s surprisingly com- mon. The vast majority of audio con- verters operate at 1 (or a few bits) at megahertz sampling rates. That means the audio in normal CD production started its life in a DSD-like format. To get to PCM, digital low-pass filtering and decimation is required. This is mostly invisible to the user because converters ICs contain the decimation filter on-board, and put out PCM. But even if you’re not aware of it, your PCM converter has quite a bit of DSD- like processing going on inside. While DSD is the format of choice for high quality recording and SACD mastering, digital editing is performed with PCM audio. This because every change thatʼs made to the DSD audio stream will lead to a wider word length than 1 bit. Since a multi-bit signal at 2.8224 MHz has a data rate that’s too high for practical use, DSD is converted to a lower rate PCM format before editing. When Phil- ips engineers were building DSD edit- ing tools the design criterion was thus to find a PCM format that would not detract from the sonic capabilities of DSD. It was found that it was possible to convert a DSD signal to 352.8kHz/32 bit and back without incurring any audi- ble quality loss, as long as good care was taken with the filtering and re- modulation stages. Later on this format was called ʻDXDʼ. Conversion of DSD to DXD is performed ʻon the flyʼ in Pyramix. In the Sonoma DAW, bits are added to the native sample rate. photos by Joe Pittman Bruce Brown is at the controls for his presentation of DSD Demystified, while club members listen in awe.
Transcript of Cambridge Audio Azur 650BD - audiosociety.orgaudiosociety.org/audioletter/Audioletter Jun...
by Bruce Brown
Pacific Northwest Audio Society, P.O. Box 435, Mercer Island, WA 98040 ● www.audiosociety.org
DSD is a method of storing a Delta-
Sigma signal before applying a"decimation" process that converts thesignal to a PCM signal. As a releaseformat, SACD is the only one actuallyusing this 1-bit data, but as an internalprocessing format it’s surprisingly com-mon. The vast majority of audio con-verters operate at 1 (or a few bits) atmegahertz sampling rates. That meansthe audio in normal CD productionstarted its life in a DSD-like format. Toget to PCM, digital low-pass filteringand decimation is required. This is
mostly invisible to the user becauseconverters ICs contain the decimationfilter on-board, and put out PCM. Buteven if you’re not aware of it, yourPCM converter has quite a bit of DSD-like processing going on inside. WhileDSD is the format of choice for highquality recording and SACD mastering,digital editing is performed with PCMaudio. This because every change thatʼs made to the DSD audio stream will leadto a wider word length than 1 bit. Sincea multi-bit signal at 2.8224 MHz has adata rate that’s too high for practicaluse, DSD is converted to a lower rate
PCM format before editing. When Phil-ips engineers were building DSD edit-ing tools the design criterion was thusto find a PCM format that would notdetract from the sonic capabilities ofDSD. It was found that it was possibleto convert a DSD signal to 352.8kHz/32bit and back without incurring any audi-ble quality loss, as long as good carewas taken with the filtering and re-modulation stages. Later on this formatwas called ʻDXDʼ. Conversion of DSD to DXD is performed ʻon the flyʼ in Pyramix. In the Sonoma DAW, bits areadded to the native sample rate.
phot
osby
Joe
Pitt
man
Bruce Brown is at the controls for his presentation of DSD Demystified, while club members listen in awe.
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This leads us to the different DSD for-mats.DSDIFF or .dff – this is the industrystandard for DSD files. The industrystandard for PCM files is .wavDSF or .dsf – This is the DSD equiva-lent of FLAC. This DSD format willallow you to attach metadata such asalbum art, track sheets and productioninformation. WSD or .wsd – This is theSony Japanese standard format used inVAIO computers and such.
Sample Rates: DSD comes in severalsample rates. The most common is2.8224MHz, also known as 64fs (1bittimes 64 times 44.1 kHz). This is what aSACD is encoded with. DSD can alsobe found at 5.6MHz or DSD128fs,which is used in the Korg 2-track re-corders. In research labs, DSD has beenfound at 512fs and 1028fs as well.
Standard Methods of Delivery: The Au-dio Engineering Society has developedstandard protocols for digital transmis-sion from one place to another. ForDSD transmission, there are only 2 ap-proved protocols. MADI (Multi-channelAudio Digital Interface), which can beover either SC or ST-optical. This alsocarries clock information as well. SDIF-3 is a single channel 75-ohm BNC ca-ble. Since it’s a single cable per chan-nel, a separate word-clock interface isneeded.
Non-Standard Methods of Delivery:HDMI – can carry up to 6 channels ofDSD information. FW (Firewire) – is aproprietary protocol adopted by dCSand Esoteric to deliver DSD to theirown transports and DAC’s. There havebeen other companies to adopt thismethod as well by writing their owndrivers (Mytek). USB-2 (Universal Se-rial Bus) – Is an open standard devel-oped by Andreas Koch with backingfrom other manufacturers to get DSDinto the hands of more consumers. Youcan read more about it here: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue60/dsd_usb.htm
Compatible Players for DSD ISO discshttp://code.google.com/p/sacd-ripper/wiki/SACDRCompatiblePlayers
Cambridge Audio Azur 650BDCambridge Audio Azur 751BDDenon DBP-1611UDDenon DBP-2012UDDenon DVD-2910Denon DVD-3910Denon DVD-5910Denon DVD-A11Denon DVD-A1XVAMarantz DV7600Marantz UD5005NAD M5NAD M55NAD T585OPPO BDP-80OPPO BDP-83OPPO BDP-83SEOPPO BDP-93OPPO BDP-95Pioneer BDP-140Sony BDP-S180Sony BDP-S370Sony BDP-S370/BX37Sony BDP-S380Sony BDP-S470Sony BDP-S480Sony BDP-S570Sony BDP-S580Sony BDP-S780Sony BDP-S870Sony BDP-S970Sony BDV-E870Yamaha BD-S1067
Current DSD capable DACs:Mytek Stereo192-DSD - http://www.mytekdigital.com/ a USB, FWand SDIF-3 DSD DACPlayback Designs MPS/D-3 and MPS/D-5 http://www.playbackdesigns.com/a USB and ST-optical DSD DACdCS – Scarlatti and Paganini http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/EMM Labs XDS1 - http://www.emmlabs.com/Digital Audio Denmark AX24 - http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ modular DSD/PCM DAC with MADI, SDIF-3Meitner MA-1 - http://www.meitner.com/preview/index.htmlPrism Sound – Dream ADA-8XR http://www.prismsound.com/music_recording/products_subs/ada8xr/ada8xr_home.php 8 channel A to Dand D to AStereo DSD recordersKorg MR1/2/1000/2000s http://korg.com/MR2000SBK
Tascam DV-RA1000HD http://tascam.com/product/dv-ra1000hd/As of this writing the following manu-facturers are offering playback softwaresupporting native playback of DSDfiles:ChannelD Puremusic:www.channld.com. Supports DSD anddouble rate DSD on Apple Mac.Audirvana: www.audirvana.com. Sup-ports DSD on Apple Mac.Korg AudioGate: http://www.korguser.net/audiogate/en/download.htmlJRiver Media Center 17:www.jriver.com. Supports DSD anddouble rate DSD on Windows PC.Merging Technologies Emotion:www.merging.com. Supports DSD anddouble rate DSD on Windows PC. Re-lease planned for late 2012
The following are software that will play-back DSD files, but will convert to PCMduring playback:HQPlayer/Signalyst: http://www.signalyst.com/consumer.html theupsampling multichannel HD-audioplayer for Windows and LinuxFoobar2000: http://www.foobar2000.org/ advanced free-ware audio player for the Windows PC
The following labels and artists offerDSD files for download (many more arein preparation):Blue Coast Records:www.bluecoastrecords.comJapan: http://ototoy.jp/feature/index.php/sound_and_recordingChannel Classics:www.channelclassics.com/dsd.htmlJapan: http://ototoy.jp/feature/index.php/sound_and_recording2L: http://www.2l.no/hires/index.htmlWheatus: http://wheatus.com/David Elias: http://www.davidelias.com/Site where various artists and labelsoffer high resolution recordings fordownload, including DSD: http://downloadsnow.netGermany: www.cybele.de
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Last but not least, I did some LP recording at Mike L’s placelast weekend. Some of his “primo” vinyl. This was recordedwith a Grimm AD1 DSD converter into a Sonoma system. Ifyou did not get a disc with the files on there, here is thedownload link. There are also files from “MASTER TAPETRANSFERS”!http://pugetsoundstudios.com/hirez/PNWAS/Equipment used for the meeting:Sonoma DSD workstation (Toshiba Tecra laptop and 2-slotMAGMA chassis)Playback Designs MPS-5Mytek 192/DSD Stereo DAC via USB from laptop.
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Oh What a BeautifulMorningRay CharlesRay Sings, Basie SwingsRipped from SACD
Movement 1, AllegromoderatoJascha HeifetzTchaikovsky Violin Con-certo in D majorRecorded in DSD fromvinyl
Take the A TrainDuke EllingtonFor DukeRecorded in DSD fromvinyl
Blues for SaxophoneClubJeremy Monteiro;Young &HoltBlues for Saxophone ClubRipped from DXD file
St. James InfirmaryLouis ArmstrongClassic Records (single)Recorded in DSD from 45rpm vinyl
Bach Cello Suite No. 1 inG majorMartin ZellerBach: 6 Cello Suites, Vol.1Todd Garfinkle live DSDrecording
A Case of YouJoni MitchellUnreleasedRecorded in DSD from liveperformance
Smoke On the WaterDeep PurpleMachine HeadRecorded in DSD fromvinyl
No QuarterLed ZeppelinHouses of the HolyRecorded in DSD fromvinyl
on't miss the next PNWASmeeting which will ex-
plore the difference between"Live" sound and what's re-corded. We are honored to hostMr Todd Garfinkle at our Junemeeting. Mr Garfinkle is theOwner and Chief Recording En-gineer of MA Recordings. TheMA label issues provocativelycreative music the vast majorityof which are produced with onlytwo microphones. All MA Re-cordings are produced in strictlyacoustic settings, often in large,acoustically significant environ-ments such as churches, classicalconcert halls, and galleries.
Todd will share some of his re-cording stories and techniques,and introduce his recordings. Hewill be giving away a high-rezsampler of his recordings to
every club member at the meet-ing.
One of the hallmarks of MA Re-cordings is that it is not only themusic that is preserved, but alsothe acoustic space in which therecording is done. Todd will, forthe first time, let PNWAS mem-bers into his "inner sanctum". Hewill make a recording "live" wit-nessed by our members, and wewill bring the recording down toour usual meeting venue and play
it back on the club's system. Wewill hear the difference betweenbeing there, and recorded.
We are honored to have twowonderful musicians help out atthis event.
Benjamin Zobel, Gold Medallistat the 2012 Seattle Young ArtistsFestival, will play saxophone andclarinet.
Shaina Rae, singer/songwriter/guitarist and lead singer of Seat-tle band Alabaster, will sing andplay acoustic guitar.
We will have the opportunity tolisten to them play in the ChurchSanctuary, and then hear the re-cordings reproduced on the club'ssystem.
•by Gary Koh
e will be having our firstsummer social /swap
meet at our regular meeting timeand place so bring those CDs,LPs and related audio gear. In-stead of just letting it set aroundthe house collecting dust whilegetting older put a price on it or“best offer” then tote it to the7:30 meeting. You can trade it
for money or barter for that cer-tain something you just cant livewithout.
A grill, hamburgers, hotdogsand water will be provided.There will be a signup sheet atthe June meeting for a few neces-sities: all are welcome to bring afavorite summer snack and oraudio stuff to sell. People bring-
ing items for sale will be respon-sible for selling (and watching)their own stuff.
August 9th Meeting:We will debut the new Vanatoospeakers. These small two waypowered speakers are incredible.
by Jerry Pomeroy
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********************************Esoteric DV50S moded black -$1,500. Mint condition Esoteric DV-50s modified by Upgrade Co. (DavidSchulte) with remote and box. Themods that cost extra $935 broughtup a huge improvement of perform-ance! , Plus upgraded IEC inlet withFurutech FI-09 and internal ACpower wires. Player has a very littleuse.
Denon (Exemplar) 3910 - $1300.John Tucker's modified DenonDVD-3910 in silver. All standardfunctionality is maintained, and eve-rything is installed within the Denon3910. !!!AMPEREX 7062 tubesadded for better performance.
Furutech RD-2 demagnetizer for$250.
Contact Andrew Kosobutsky email:[email protected]
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Pair of Magnepan MG 3.6 in oakand cream $2600 [email protected] or cashNo blemishes, non-smoking home.I am the original owner, purchasedAug 2008.Replaced by Magnepan MG 3.7here, otherwise I’d still be usingthese.Pick up only. The original packagingis on hand. West SeattleContact 206 852-7547
Audio Research PH7This silver PH7 is in beautiful condi-tion, and needs no introduction. Iam the second owner.The voltage regulation upgrade wasdone at Audio Research in March of2010.I used it sparingly while comparing itto a couple of other phono stages.$3600 cash or [email protected] 206 852-7547
Nordost Frey Speaker Cables 4mbi-wire with Z plugs (bananas)From a non-smoking home.Nordost packaging included, al-though it is mismarked as shotgun.Replaced by Tyr 4m shotgun here,otherwise these would still be inuse.$1800 cash or [email protected] 206 852-7547
See my other items at Head-Fi andAudiogon, seller name curbfeeler.http://app.audiogon.com/listings/nordost-frey-speaker-cables-4m-bi-wire-freyhttp://tinyurl.com/6n9phnv
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Disclaimer: The Pacific Northwest AudioSociety does not endorse nor is liable for
any advertisement in any way. Everyone iscautioned to proceed at their own risk.
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June 14 PNWAS MeetingMr Todd Garfinkle, Owner and ChiefRecording Engineer of MA Re-cordings will talk about his re-cordings and make a live recordingin the church. We will then listen tothe recording on the clubs system!
July 12 PNWAS MeetingSummer Social
August 9 PNWAS MeetingAfter several years of development,club members Gary Gesellchen andRick Kernen are unveiling their Va-natoo powered loudspeaker. It’s agiant killer.
September 9 PNWAS MeetingZu Audio will demonstrate their high
efficiency loudspeakers and otherproducts (tentative).
September 8 or 15 (TBD)The Puget SoundOur world famous semiannual(every 2 years) DIY speaker buildingcontest.
October 11 PNWAS MeetingThe winners, and other contestantsfrom The Puget Sound DIY speakercontest will demonstrate (show off)their speakers.
October 12-14 RMAF
Annual Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.Hi-ho hi-ho, it’s off to Denver we go.
November 8 PNWAS MeetingAndreas Koch will talk about DSDthrough USB and all things DSD(tentative).
December 13 PNWAS MeetingAnnual Christmas party and Bestand Funniest Holiday music compe-tition. We may also have a HomeTheater demo (tentative).
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Visitors Welcome!Meetings are held on the second Thursdayof every month at 7:30pm at 4545 IslandCrest Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
PNWAS Mission StatementTo bring people with a common interest in
music reproduced at its best, for theirmutual edification and pleasure.
To facilitate the exchange and dissemina-tion of accurate data concerning audioequipment and musical recordings.
To promote, sponsor, and cultivate thehighest quality reproduction of music inthe home.
To encourage maintenance of high stan-dards in the performance, recording andtransmission of music.
PNWAS Objectives1. Provide a forum for meeting other audio-
philes and exchanging information onmusical recordings and audio equipment.
2. Demonstrate and compare equipmentand recordings.
3. Give members opportunities to becomefamiliar with the techniques of audiomanufacturing, testing, repair, recording,broadcasting, etc.
4. Explore related avenues as the member-
ship deems appropriate.
Club Websitewww.audiosociety.org
US MailPacific Northwest Audio Society, PO Box435, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Annual Dues$60 due each January. New members pay aprorated $5 per month for remainder ofyear.
Elected Officers.President: Darin Forkenbrock
[email protected]: Jay Hop
[email protected]/Treasurer: Bruce Brown
Committee ChairsEditor: Joe Pittman
[email protected]: Jerry Pomeroy
[email protected]: Vacant– Volunteers?Refreshment: Vacant– Volunteers?
EditorialEditorial submissions are welcome.Content must be audio-related or of generalinterest to the club in plain text or Worddocument format without automation(macros and scripts). We reserve the rightto edit for style, content, and length.Editorial Deadline: two weeks before meet-ing date.Publishing any editorial material is contin-gent upon the approval of the ExecutiveCommittee.
DisclaimerOpinions in this Audioletter are those of theirauthors; the Pacific Northwest Audio Societyitself does not endorse or criticize products.Copyright 2012 by the Pacific NorthwestAudio Society except as noted; all rightsreserved.No part of this publication may be reprintedor otherwise reproduced without the writtenpermission of the
PO Box 435, Mercer Island, WA 98040
