SACD

Yes I agree about sacd but is dsd not the same as high res downloads? Correct me if Im wrong but is DSD not direct uncompressed digital from the original tapes straight to your computer?

DSD = Direct Stream Digital, 1bit and usually 2.8mhz, but can be higher. DSD is the recording method that is used for SACD's as PCM is the method used for DVD-Audio and CD's. Not many recordings have been made in DSD. Most SACD's would have had the original recordings remastered to DSD, but to my ears a DSD recording sounds better than the PCM equivalent, e.g. I used to think my DVD-Audio remaster of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac was excellent (24bit 96kz), then I bought the Japanese SACD version, massive improvement in every respect.

Most studio recordings would be in PCM 24bit and varying khz, but not usually more than 192khz..

With regard to a DAC, it will depend on the sound character you're looking for. I auditioned the Rega DAC and Audiolab M-DAC at home. For me the Rega was the right choice having a more analogue sound with good bass. That matched my other kit well, i.e. the Monitor Audio speakers are quite revealing. In a less revealing set-up amp and speaker wise, the M-DAC may be your preference.

No it isn't, not in terms of format anyway.

I've no idea but it's irrelevant anyway, DSD isn't available to download and it isn't likely it ever will be, so it isn't worth worrying about.

Thanks pete321 that what I thought. Problem with DSD is not much available, all very well saying Lynn has some but that is prob. less than 0.01% of all music. I guess many record companies do not want to go down that route because of piracy etc. Think I will wait a bit longer.

Not quite true.

Linn don't have any DSD downloads, but any FLAC or ALAC files for download at Linn or any other download site at 88.2khz or 176.4khz would have been more than likely converted to those formats from a DSD master file (sacd), in which case in theory the DSD file could be made available for download.

I've never seen it available and as every flavour of PCM up to 24/192 is available it really isn't worth worrying about DSD downloads or a player that supports it natively, imo.

pete321 they are FLAC and ALAC downloads.

I can't see if anyone replied to you post about downloading but you are going to have to download to a computer, which you obviously have, as you are on this forum.

Playback files also from computer but you are obviously going to need to spend more on a DAC with USB input in order to do that (unless you buy yet another box!)

I do not believe, unlike the lhc, that SACD is dead. DVD-A certainly is.

There are many blu ray / SACD devices still being made and for a reason.

Try

http://www.channelclassics.com/dsd.html

http://dsd-guide.com/free-downloads

http://bluecoastrecords.downloadsnow.net/blue-coast-collection

http://www.cybele.de/downloads

and

http://www.2L.no

"Playback files also from computer but you are obviously going to need to spend more on a DAC with USB input in order to do that (unless you buy yet another box!)"

Thanks for that, I was going ask about the whole process. Now I have my downloaded file on my computer and my hifi is not near it, what do I do, can I burn onto a cd or will that lose quality? Are tha Arcam DACs around £200 any good?

If you mean DSD files then no, you'll need to multiply your budget by about ten times...

No I meant for PCM up to 24/192.

Been buying SACD for years and can easily continue to do so.  If you like classical, or even if you don't, check out Amazon for the RCA Living Stereo titles on SACD.  Some are going for about a fiver.  Give the Leontyne Price album a whirl, the one with the blue cover.  The LSO titles are often quite cheap and I picked up Beethoven's concertos boxset (a six disc set, all SACD) for about £15.  

If you like rock, check out Ebay and Amazon and just do a listing based on price and format.  Doddle.  Heaps out there, just seek them out. 

As for a player, spend £100 and get one of Sony's entry level Blu-ray players, most if not all come with SACD as standard.  Alternatively, something like Denon's DVD-3930 has it along with DVD-A and HDCD.  It's a great sounding unit and you'll pick one up for about £200 or thereabouts.  They'll usually be in good nick as they came in around £1000 on release in 2006.

EDIT: See also SA-CD,net for more info: http://www.sa-cd.net/ and have a look at the Steve Hoffman site too.  Great forum and a great resource.  Plenty of info on there too.  

EDIT2: Note: Being on SACD is no guarantee that your disc is the best version of the album available.  In other words, it will always come down to the quality of the recording and the skill of the mastering engineer getting it over to a disc.  Example: Yes' Close to the Edge is due to come out on Audio Fidelity SACD soon.  It'll need to be a corker as the WEA pressing for the US market from Matsushita in Japan is a belter.  That came out over 20 years ago now.  That version's not difficult to find either, Amazon or Ebay usually or the For Sale boards on the aforesaid Hoffman forum.  

5 times for the well regarded Mytek Stereo 192 DSD DAC preamp.