Yamaha receiver DSD question

[peng]

As far as the Yamaha RX-A880 is concerned, to my mind, the volume control is done in the analogue domain in an integrated circuit: a Rohm BD34703 that I have highlighted in a red rectangle on the block diagram below (out of the relevant service manual). So your concern is moot, anyway.

But he said "I recently figured out that my Yamaha Aventage RX-A880 could play DSD files or a DSD stream over HDMI, even multichannel! So I got excited and bought a multichannel SACD - my Blu-ray player happens to also play SACDs and output a DSD stream over HDMI."

So the signal will get routed to the DSPs then the DAC (PCM5102A)

Another thing, the PCM5102A may not be able to handle DSD direct, without some help from the DSP.

 

[Scytales]

But he said "I recently figured out that my Yamaha Aventage RX-A880 could play DSD files or a DSD stream over HDMI, even multichannel! So I got excited and bought a multichannel SACD - my Blu-ray player happens to also play SACDs and output a DSD stream over HDMI."

So the signal will get routed to the DSPs then the DAC (PCM5102A)

Another thing, the PCM5102A may not be able to handle DSD direct, without some help from the DSP.

You should have read every post of this thread before replying.

SoundsGood64 has already provided the correct clue in this post #9: the model of DAC used in this Yamaha has no DSD input interface, hence DSD may be transmitted and received at the input of the Yamaha, but it is undoubtedly converted into PCM prior to the DAC inside the amp.

 

[Audiofire]

I am able to hear a difference between mp3: and regular CD recordings as long as it is properly mastered.

Depends on bitrate of mp3. I can hear a difference between SACD and CD, but the mastering is different. Mastering is the real difference.

High Bitrate MP3 Internet Blind Test: Part 2 - RESULTS

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

archimago.blogspot.com

 

[Miker 1102]

I'm not aware of specific listening tests but "CD quality" (16-bit/44.1kHz) has been demonstrated to be generally better than human hearing in blind ABX tests where a high-resolution original is compared to a copy down-sampled to 16/44.1. So, 24/96 PCM is certainly better than human hearing. Under "artificial conditions" you MAY hear a difference with CD quality but not with 24/96 which is also better than any hardware.

With the right setup, I believe foobar2000 can play DSD, and there is an ABX plug-in for foobar2000 so if you have a way to convert DSD to PCM you might be able to run your own ABX test. (Just make sure to loudness-match the files it's important to do the conversion yourself so you know is the exact same recording/mix/master.)

What is a blind ABX test?.
Controlled Audio Blind Listening Tests (video)


...You might be surprised how difficult it is to hear the difference between a good-quality (high bitrate) MP3 and high-resolution (or CD quality) original in a proper blind ABX test. You usually have to listen very carefully, if you can reliably hear a difference at all.

Foobar can play dsd files. The avr I use can play the dsd files directly and does not convert it to pcm.

 

[Miker 1102]

Foobar can play dsd files. The avr I use can play the dsd files directly and does not convert it to pcm. I doubt i can hear a difference.