Can an external DAC do SACD 2 Channel?

[ben62670]

I know many SACD's are dual format, but can an external DAC do the d a c for the SACD layer in 2 channel. I'm pretty sure the answer is no:(
Thanks Guys
Ben

[Dennis Gardner]

Only with HDMI.

[treitz3]

No..

[disneyjoe7]

No...

[ben62670]

No such luck for me. My Outlaw only has DVI inputs, Coax, and optical. I have a Sony 400disc DVD changer that does SACD, but in the audio department it is lacking. I just hate to loose the convenience, and have to get another source.

[Danny Tse]

I know many SACD's are dual format, but can an external DAC do the d a c for the SACD layer in 2 channel. I'm pretty sure the answer is no:(

Dependent on your definition of "DAC".

In the traditional sense, there're only a handful on SACD-capable DAC and they're generally super expensive. Not to mention they often require a proprietary SACD transport with a proprietary connection.

However, if you want to do the DSD bitstream decoding external of the player, you can now do it with a DSD-compatible receiver....such as Yamaha's new 663. If you use a player such as Oppo's 980 or 983, both of which can send the naive DSD bitstream using their HDMI output, you can use a receiver like the Yamaha to do the DSD decoding. There're other options, such as receivers from Marantz and Onkyo. The Yamaha 663 will set you back about $400.00 and the Oppo players start at $170.00.

[ben62670]

Thanks Danny. For the limited number of SACD's I can't justify sinking that kinda dough into processing. I have an Outlaw990 dedicated Pre that handles everything else pretty good. I have an Adcom GDA-700 in my near future that will do the DA conversion for my Sony CD, and DVD carousels. I just can't give up the convenience. Someday a nice source may be in my future, but for now I have to look at the big picture.
Ben

[Danny Tse]

Thanks Danny. For the limited number of SACD's I can't justify sinking that kinda dough into processing. I have an Outlaw990 dedicated Pre that handles everything else pretty good. I have an Adcom GDA-700 in my near future that will do the DA conversion for my Sony CD, and DVD carousels. I just can't give up the convenience. Someday a nice source may be in my future, but for now I have to look at the big picture.


No problem, Ben.

There's no reason that a SACD player, by itself, can't do an excellent job of processing DSD. Aside from the convenience of a single cable passing the DSD bitstream, instead of six separate analog cables for 5.1 multi-channel surround sound, external processing doesn't guarantee better sound quality. OK, maybe better bass management....but an Outlaw ICBM unit (discontinued) can easily fix that.

Edit: Oops....just saw your mention of 2 channel. Nevermind about the surround sound part.

[ben62670]

The Sony DVD is pretty thin sounding. Not just in the bass. I can live with that for now.
Thanks
Ben

[disneyjoe7]

Dependent on your definition of "DAC".

In the traditional sense, there're only a handful on SACD-capable DAC and they're generally super expensive. Not to mention they often require a proprietary SACD transport with a proprietary connection.

However, if you want to do the DSD bitstream decoding external of the player, you can now do it with a DSD-compatible receiver....such as Yamaha's new 663. If you use a player such as Oppo's 980 or 983, both of which can send the naive DSD bitstream using their HDMI output, you can use a receiver like the Yamaha to do the DSD decoding. There're other options, such as receivers from Marantz and Onkyo. The Yamaha 663 will set you back about $400.00 and the Oppo players start at $170.00.


Perhaps a bit of rail here sorry, but is this like the I-Link with Pioneer?

[Gaara]

Perhaps a bit of rail here sorry, but is this like the I-Link with Pioneer?

Yes. The two ways to transfer DSD digitally are I-link (IEEE 1394) or HDMI.

[Danny Tse]

Yes. The two ways to transfer DSD digitally are I-link (IEEE 1394) or HDMI.

To be precise, HDMI v.1.2 or above. You will still need a receiver that can decode DSD even if you have HDMI v.1.2 or above.