The ZIP contains 4 files:
- dsd2pcm.jar (the converter, outputs raw 24/88 PCM, intel byte order)
- info.txt (contains some infos)
- test2822k.dsd (14 seconds, mono DSD, 5 megs)
- test44k.mp3 (conversion result)

have fun,
Sebi

Now you need to develop a DVD-ROM driver for reading SACD's and find a way to crack the copy protection schemes, and we're all set! You don't have a choice anymore.

Intercepting the raw DSD stream between an SACD player's decoder and its DAC would probably be easier. (I've no experience on this subject.)

Sebi

Oh, I noticed a small bug: The dsd file size must be divisible by 4. This is due to the 2nd stage wanting to "convert" 4 samples to one (4:1 decimator) -- the first stage turns each byte into a float sample (8:1 decimation).

Cheers,
Sebi

So is it theoretically possible to convert the PCM output back into a DSD stream so that it matches the original DSD stream? In other words is a DSD->PCM->DSD conversion theoretically lossless?

see http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/pcm1796.pdf - it does both PCM and DSD "good enough".

Thanks for the link. But right now, I'm only concerned with the theory at the moment. There are many people who claim that DSD is superior to PCM (they say it sounds better). But on the vast majority of converter chips that give you a PCM signal, the conversion is a 1-bit delta-sigma stream that is converted to PCM. DSD is just that 1-bit stream before the conversion.

In discussions I've had on this topic, I say that there isn't any difference between DSD and PCM if the conversion to PCM (in other words the delta-sigma stream conversion to pcm) is done with care. What I don't know is if theoretically and mathematically, is the conversion actually lossless. So is it theoretically possible (not just good enough for audio) to go from DSD to PCM and then back to DSD without losing any information? If so, it seems that the DSD/PCM discussions are moot, and it all boils down to how good the actual implementation is.

And is there a better forum to post this in? I just posted here due to the topic of DSD->PCM conversion.

DSD and PCM exist in various formats so you'd have to be a bit more specific. "DSD" is usually 64Fs DSD but there are also 128Fs converters. When DSD is converted to PCM for editing/mixing purposes 24bit 352.8 kHz seems to be a popular choice (Pyramix workstation e.g.). Still, some recording engineers claim (no proof) that there is an audible difference (example). Another option is 8 bit 2.8 MHz PCM (Sonoma and Sadie workstation). My guess is that when the conversion involves sample rate and/or wordlength reduction, it can't be considered lossless. Most DSD users I know don't think the quality "loss" is something to worry about.
I gladly leave the final answer to the mathematical experts on this forum.

I'm mildly curious how this method compares and contrasts to Sony's own SBM Direct conversion system for DSD, bit and sample rate levels aside--in terms of perceived sound quality. In my experience SBM Direct-encoded CDs are among the least fatiguing and irritating redbook cds that I have heard, especially with players that are prone to jitter. But if this system preserves more of the audio information of the original DSD recording then that benefit may be offset, assuming an appropriate D-to-A converter is used for playback of the converted recording.

Is there any updated info about this program? I tried it, and it worked. Seems useful.

It would be interesting if it could support stereo, and support .DFF, which afaik is pretty much the same as .DSD, perhaps interchangeable. There's test DFF files at http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html.

Or even more useful, DSF files. with Sony DSD Direct software you can convert stereo PCM to DSF, but there's no program (I know of) to convert back to PCM.

(deleted...reply to a years-old post that violated TOS8)