PCM vs DSD

[KSTR]

I'm saying that is not the case. It's always PCM going into the multi-bit modulator.

Besides, you haven't told us how DSD async resampling works?

By converting it to PCM just as you and I said ;-)
Simple DSD-inflation data in that case, mapping 1 to some positive high value and 0 to the same value but negative. The final DAC is PCM so nothing else can be feed to it. Obviously.

But we're nitpicking here. The key takeaway is that the DSD modulation causes no or very little signal-correlated RF glitch energy and this is why DSD mode has lower distortion.

 

[voodooless]

But we're nitpicking here. The key takeaway is that the DSD modulation causes no or very little signal-correlated RF glitch energy and this is why DSD mode has lower distortion.

But then again, why use a 1-bit modulator for DSD content that was converted to PCM? Why develop a 5th order modulator if it turns of that the 1-bitter is actually better?

 

[KSTR]

But then again, why use a 1-bit modulator for DSD content that was converted to PCM? Why develop a 5th order ik to it modulator if it turns of that the 1-bitter is actually better?

Only ESS insiders could give us insight.

 

[Sokel]

As a side note,this glitch moves proportionally to the test signal,you can already see that on the 50Hz and 100Hz signal measurements in previous posts.
(I like seeing this "dance" during sweeps,the whole grass area moving along to the right)

 

[voodooless]

Only ESS insiders could give us insight.

… or your assumptions are not correct… I’m not sure how well-filtered the current outputs are before the IV stage? One should be able to verify this easily. Should look something like this:

 

[Sokel]

… or your assumption are not correct… I’m not sure how well filtered the current outputs are before the IV stage? One should be able to verify this easily. Should look something like this:
View attachment 298122

You mean the actual waveforms?
I can show you this for the output but before the IV stage,how?

 

[voodooless]

You mean the actual waveforms?
I can show you this for the output but before the IV stage,how?

Note that is this is very high frequency, you’ll need a high-performance scope to measure this.

 

[AnalogSteph]

You'll arguably also want two identical (and identially-calibrated) probes and subtract two channels for a pseudo-differential measurement. Ground lead length should be kept to a minimum.

 

[Music1969]

My educated guess:

In PCM mode, the ESS chip first does the usual upsampling and digital filtering, and (sometimes) resampling.

Yep @Sokel can you repeat just a couple of main measurements you do, for PCM353k vs DSD? PCM353 bypasses ESS 1st stage digital filtering

Just 100Hz tone and IMD hump

 

[Music1969]

But then again, why use a 1-bit modulator for DSD content that was converted to PCM? Why develop a 5th order modulator if it turns of that the 1-bitter is actually better?

I think they are multiple 1-bits

 

[Sokel]

Yep @Sokel can you repeat just a couple of main measurements you do, for PCM353k vs DSD? PCM353 bypasses ESS 1st stage digital filtering

Just 100Hz tone and IMD hump

Yep.

100Hz PCM@96Khz

100Hz PCM @352.8Khz

100Hz DSD128 (DoP)

Instead for an IMD sweep I did something better,I measured the absolute worst point (about -30db level) so to see how it looks:

SMPTE 60Hz/7k 4:1 96Khz @ -30db

SMPTE 60Hz/7k 4:1 352.8Khz @ -30db

SMPTE 60Hz/7k 4:1 DSD128 @ -30db

SMPTE 60Hz/7k 4:1 all @ -30db

I don't know for the rest of 9038qm or ESS DACs' in general but this one is way happier with DSD (apart from some elevated noise).

 

[Music1969]

I don't know for the rest of 9038qm or ESS DACs' in general but this one is way happier with DSD (apart from some elevated noise).

HQPlayer's developer has mentioned this for years.

Might be related to my ESS slide I show above

 

[Sokel]

HQPlayer's developer has mentioned this for years.

Might be related to my ESS slide I show above

We will only be sure if someone with nice gear (not like my ancient E-MU) repeat this test,my results may be repeatable for my gear but we will only know for sure if others confirm that too.
So,I take it just as a hint,please guys,someone repeat it with a nice E1DA or something!

 

[Music1969]

We will only be sure if someone with nice gear (not like my ancient E-MU) repeat this test,my results may be repeatable for my gear but we will only know for sure if others confirm that too.
So,I take it just as a hint,please guys,someone repeat it with a nice E1DA or something!

Yes but over on AudiophileStyle forum HQPlayer's developer has been posting measurements showing such for 5+ years.

I think he showed same with Pro-ject Pre Box S2 here on ASR too (same DAC chip you measured)

 

[Music1969]

But thanks for doing this @Sokel

 

[Sokel]

Just for the fun of it that's what 20 years of evolution in engineering looks like:



Khadas Tone (PCM+DSD)


E-MU 0204

Yep,it's bad.

Lets now put it under the magnifying glass:



Khadas Tone



E-MU 0204

Yep(²),some 25db (or 10db for DSD) better IMD distortion for the 20 years old (really abused) poor interface.

Someone to change my mind that they don't "game" it for 1Khz measurements?
Or do I have to post a SINAD vs Frequency sweep too? (yes,apart for 300-2000Hz the old thing is comparable or better,specially low)

Before someone tells me that there are better DACs,I already know,is just for the fun (or for the WTF?) of it.
I mean after 20 years everything should be WAY better.

 

[Music1969]

Khadas Tone (PCM+DSD)

ESS double hump

Sexy

 

[HDavidson]

In foobar2000 I convert 44.1/16 to DSD. What kind of transformation path does it take in the ESS ES9068ES (for example)? From DSD input to analogue output.
And does this make sense?

 

[bennetng]

Have a look at this too. DSD256 not only resulted in higher noise floor, but also higher distortion than PCM.
Khadas tone board is known to have hump, but there are also many other ES9038 DACs with no hump. So deliberately use a DAC with hump for comparison cannot draw very useful conclusion.

REVIEW: E1DA #9038D6K Dongle DAC / Headphone Amp (Part II): Headphone Amp Power, DSD, Subjective Impressions, AMPT & Perfectionistic Tweaking!

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

Specifically, Archimago converted a DSD512 signal to PCM then sent to the DAC, the figures immediately improved a lot. Pay attention to the Realtime DSD -> PCM annotation.

Also clear sign of higher distortion in DSD256 playback, similar to Archimago's previous tests on Oppo UDP205 and Topping D90SE.

 

[Blumlein 88]

MQA looks to be on the ropes, but DSD seems like it is not going to take a deserved trip to the dustbin of history.