111MilesToGo
500+ Head-Fier
Hi @McCol, a bit more explanations I feel I could add for you, as it is important to capture the underlying structure.OK folks, some of my knowledge of this hobby is good, some is very good and some is patchy.
The patchy - give me a simple DSD explanation!
I see software that says it can convert my FLAC files to DSD
I don't see many DSD UK based sites where I can purchase music
Now here's the bit where I need some real guidance, I'm assuming from what I'm reading that the N7 can decode PCM to DSD, can it do this for FLAC files?
I apologise in advance for what may be simple questions but I've never ventured much past FLAC files on my DAPs
There are two basic methods of converting analog audio to digital, PCM and DSD.
One needs to distinguish the many methods to store the resulting digital audio data as a file on any storage medium like hard disk, SD card, or internal storage of a DAP.
1.) There are lossless filing methods, and there are lossy filing methods; the latter exist in order to save space to various extents.
Considering only lossless:
2.) We have those files that store digital audio content 1:1, i.e. using up the biggest space:
a) For PCM, these are file types like *.wav
b) For DSD, these are *.dsf and *.dff files
3.) And we have file type that do lossless compression (think of zipping) to save space:
c) For PCM, the one used most often is *.flac files, gaining about 50%
d) There are compression file types for DSD, too, but I‘ll leave that topic to your own web search
Hope to have given a little clarification, in particular by pointing out the distinction between audio formats and file types.
Sorry for brevity, and for skipping the Apple world.
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