In the past friends have teased how I've stacked the deck against digital in my system. But both budget components, the Marantz CD5003 DAC and Cambridge DACmagic have stayed put over three years and I saw no need to upgrade... until recently. And while I've had the replacement component and auxiliary device for the past couple months, I've also been so busy with other hobbies that even if I do keep and try to stay current with audio, I haven't been posting much here. Sorry 'bout that
But let's examine with what keeps me from doing analog, master of Swiffer Wushu technique, just waiting for that moment when a stylus is within reach
Not that that's happened, but my listening has switched from analog to iTunes and much as I try to listen everyday, it's rare when I can play a couple tunes uninterrupted without someone running over my toes with his walker. Oh joy.
What this post is really about-- if you've been following developments in digital audio recently, then perhaps you've heard that the once impossible-to-rip SACD format, DSD, has become "streamable" with the help of a modern-day digital Prometheus, Mr Wicked, and some hackable older versions of Sony's Playstation3. For more information check out SACD ripping using a PS3.
The short of it is you upgrade your older PS3 firmware with a version that allows an SACD ripper package to be installed. Then, using another program called sacd_extract.exe on your PC you can extract the ISO files from an SACD inserted onto your PS3, assuming your PS3 is connected on your home network. Otherwise, you'll have to rip that ISO onto a USB thumb drive attached to your PS3. Next, you'll need to extract individual DSD DFF files (or DSF if you prefer) and later stream them using a DSD-capable music player (iTunes+Pure Music on the Mac, Signalyst HQplayer on Windows) via USB2 or Firewire into a DSD capable DAC.
Here's a video I made showing the steps involved sans DAC and music player configuration and hopefully you'll get the general idea (best watched 720p full screen):
Having moved all amps back to the center, I listen some 12-15 away most of the time. I also haven't decided whether to use PureMusic on a Mac or HQplayer on Windows and at the moment only have long Firewire cables. Whichever computer / player I end up using is gonna be positioned on the side wall, closer to my listening position.
Hardwire-wise, these are the guys that make it happen. First, a Playstation3 with CECHA* CECHB* CECHC* or CECHE* with firmware 3.55 or lower. See here to see if the PS3 you have will allow SACD ripping.
Next, a DSD-capable DAC. Below we have the Mytek Stereo192-DSD "preamp" version DAC:
And finally, a good dose of patience You've heard that saying "you can always tell the pioneers from the arrows sticking out of their backs." I remember back when first had my 8-input RME/Nuendo 24/96 digital I/O over 10 years ago. It was bleeding edge at the time and made possible a notebook-based digital audio workstation with very low latencies. As far as this goes, I've never been as excited with digital audio until now. Imagine the possibilities if the big studios started releasing DSD masters for download. (Not that I'm against PCM, but there's DXD too)
Then again, perhaps I should just learn how to defend against Swiffer Wushu
Thanks for reading!