Regarding DSD Native support of USB external DAC

The A6 detects my Benchmark DAC3 on the A6's USB port. But it's limited to PCM (32bit) at 192KHz (the Benchmark can do DSD512 native). Using DOP all DSD files above DSD64 (DSD128, DSD512) get down converted to DSD64 DOP.
I guess that's the best I can get from the A6 with an external Benchmark DAC when it comes to DSD files?

 

Isn't this related to the EOS setting? Turning it off should maintain the original sampling rate. Take this with a grain of salt, though, as I am not sure whether this applies to DSD too or not...

 

Yeah, EOS has no effect on the DSD output. But that was a good idea to try.

Actually, I just noticed that the A6 thinks it sees a Benchmark DAC2 - not a DAC3. That could be the problem.

 

A6 standard edition is limited to DSD64 processing, not higher.

 

you are writing foolish things

 

Well, maybe yes and no. We haven't yet talked about if DSD stereo or multichannel was used as output from A6. Wherever Zidoo writes DSD512 I read "stereo".

 

The A6 specs state DSD512 (768KHz) for the USB and DSD64 for the optical and coax inputs. So, I was expecting up to DSD512 with my Benchmark DAC3. But I guess those specs might just be for the A6's internal DAC?

 

The more I read the more ambiguous the official DSD statements are . 768kHz is only related to PCM, not native DSD.
O.k. Actually the manual seems to be an extremely rare official document saying something about the DSD over USB out capabilities... "USB Audio Output Support up to stereo DSD512 Native, PCM 768KHz 32Bit, MQA".
So, at least not multichannel. But stereo@DSD512 should be fine. For sure, you have to chose the lower USB out port. Also chose a proper cable. Did you try the original USB cable included with the A6?
Again, we're not talking about DoP but native DSD, right?

But, I see th manual for the different DAC3 models doesn't say anything beyond DSD64. In contrast it says DSD can only be streamed/received/processed as DoP at DSD64 max, not as native DSD, and not beyond 64.
Or did something change with a F/W update?

 

Sorry for the delay.
As far as the Benchmark DAC3 - you're correct. I thought it supported over DSD64. My mistake I use Roon and I got used to throwing any kind of high res file at the DAC and it would just work. I double checked the specs and yup - DSD64. D'oh.

 

Another Denafrips Pontus II 12th here.

USB DAC delay set at 450ms to avoid any cropping.

Well, technically a II 12th-1 since I upgraded the firmware from v1.3 to v1.4 (confirmed by the P6F1.4).

​

The FW shows USB v3.12 which is a normal regression due to the v1.3 -> v1.4 update.
There is a separate USB Firmware (v3.14) that allows for Hardware volume control (vs Software, if you know VOLUMIO you have seen this setting before).

The PONTUS red LEDs will always confirm if you are playing PCM (+ which multiple of 44.1 or 48) or DSD (+ which multiple of DSD64).

Tested/Tortured the DMP-A6 via USB DAC successfully with (all @ 24-bit):

• 88.2 kHz (x2)
  
• 176.4 kHz (x4)
• 352.8 kHz (x8)
• 705.6 kHz (x16)
  
• 96 kHz (x2)
  
• 192 kHz (x4)
• 384 kHz (x8)
• 768kHz (x16)
• DSD64
• DSD128
• DSD256
• DSD512 (x8)
• DSD1024 (x16) will be down-sampled to DSD128

No gap, no click, no pop. All smooth.

Few more successful tests:

• WAV 48kHz 32-bit float
• WAV 352.8kHz 32-bit float
• WAV 768kHz 32-bit float

The DMP-A6 won't go higher to match the max specs of the Pontus II at 1,536 kHz / DSD1024.

This is the USB specs announced by the USB driver, the DMP-A6 must be applying a MAX() at its 768000 Hz limit:

Card 5, ID `P1214', name `DENAFRIPS USB v3.12 | P6F1.4'
sampling rate 44100..1536000 Hz

 

For reference, this is the set of files I used for my tests.
Some are up-sampled test files (via Audacity or PCM-DSD_Converter) I generated myself.

They are all 1 minute long.

• 18 MB 88.2 kHz.flac
• 19 MB 96 kHz.flac
• 25 MB 176.4 kHz.flac
• 37 MB 192 kHz.flac
• 69 MB 352.8 kHz.flac
• 163 MB 352.8 kHz 32bit-float.wav (upsampled from the 24-bit file)
• 60 MB 384 kHz.flac
• 245 MB 705.6 kHz.wav (upsampled from the 352.8 kHz file)
• 266 MB 768 kHz.wav (upsampled from the 384 kHz file)
• 355 MB 768 kHz 32bit-float.wav (upsampled from the 24-bit file)
• 39 MB DSD64.dsf
• 79 MB DSD128.dsf
• 160 MB DSD256.dsf
• 326 MB DSD512.dff (upsampled from the 352.8 kHz file)
• 653 MB DSD1024.dff (upsampled from the 352.8 kHz file)

Of course the up-sampling doesn't change/improve the original material, it is just a test to see if the DMP-A6 will recognize and play them, and if so in what mode (bit-perfect or down-mixed/down-sampled).

Note: FLAC doesn't seem to go above 384 kHz or encode 32-bit float so the files above that limit are significantly bigger.

 

Can you explain to me the setting: follow system settings or audio device? I can't hear the difference.

 

Model: DMP-A6 Master Edition
Please add support for the following DAC: (sound is normal when setting to DoP, but only static noise when setting to Native DSD)

Brand:
McIntosh MA7200:
Digital USB Input Sample Rate:
32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM)
DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz

 

Here is another Amanero Combo 384 that is not recognised correctly . This Audio-GD AS1 DAC is capable of decoding up to Native DSD512.

 

The manufacturer page on https://amanero.com/ or http://www.audio-gd.com/pro/dac/Amanero/AmaneroEN.htm says that it's compatible up to PCM 384kHz as input.
DSD is only available as an output.

Isn't it a PCM to I2S/DSD conversion board?

https://www.kyohritsu.jp/eclib/OTHER/DATASHEET/amanerocombo384.pdf

 

Anybody tried to connect the Eversolo DMP-A6 to a Border Patrol SEi DAC? Does it work? USB input of the BP DAC is not compatible with Android. I was thinking to get the DMP-A6 but this would be a great limitation, assuming the SPDIF input is not as good as asyncronous USB.

 

The explanation provided by Amanero is confusing at best, but I have investigated elsewhere to clear my mind (partially). So the board accepts PCM up to 32bit & DSD512 and then outputs the signal via I2S into the DAC.