I had to set up my system again. When I play native DSD files through HQPlayer to Holo Ted to DAC 200, the DAC 200 is showing the native DSD bitrate, but all it plays is static. Before I reset the system it was working fine. Direct SDM is checked in HQPlayer.
Which OS are you running HQPlayer on? And what are your HQPlayer output settings?
Usually you wouldn’t have Direct SDM checked though. In particular if your sources are DSD64.
Mac OS. HQPlayer desktop. Most of my files are 44.1 upsampled to DSD1024 through HQPlayer with no issues. I have a few DSD 64 files in my playlists and when I was running the demo version of HQPlayer the DAC 200 would switch to DSD64 automatically and keep playing the files. Now it shows DSD64 on the DAC 200 when it gets to those files but I just hear static. I must have changed a setting somewhere.
Usually you would also upsample DSD64 files as well.
Please note that DirectSDM does not work if you have matrix processor enabled in HQPlayer, for example due to DAC correction. Performing these DSP operations for DSD sources is fairly heavy, so you may be also running out of CPU power. So if you have matrix processor enabled, please try leaving the Direct SDM disabled.
That helped.
I have another question. With adaptive rate checked the DAC 200 shows DSD1024 at 44.1. (When I have the SDM rate set to 48k x1024). It plays without issue. If I check adaptive rate the DAC 200 shows DSD1024 at 48, but then I get pauses. Is this a DAC 200 issue or a processing power issue with my Mac?
When the adaptive rate is unchecked, HQPlayer does the requested rate regardless of source rate. Or if it is grayed, then this is the same, but with “if possible by the filter” exception. This is generally somewhat heavier operation than staying within same rate family. So it is likely due to your Mac running out of steam at that point. Since DAC 200 supports DSD correctly also at multiples of 48k (hence you can have “48k DSD” checked), you can also keep adaptive rate checked and save some processing power.
Typical case for conversion between rate families is converting 48k-base sources to 44.1k-base DSD output. Reason is that most DACs don’t support DSD at multiples of 48k. Luckily this is lighter operation though, than doing 44.1k-base sources to 48k-base DSD output…
So is there a processing advantage to choosing 1024/44.1 in HQPlayer? In other words, is it possible that by choosing 44.1 instead of 48 there would be processing power left to possibly use some of the more processor intensive filters?
Also, as asked in another thread. Would running 512 at 48k be more desireable than running 1024 at 44.1k on the DAC 200?
No, the processing power advantage is having “48k DSD” and “Adaptive rate” checked. And rate limit set to 48k x1024. This works on DAC 200, but not on majority of DACs out there on market.
It is better to keep all related things in same thread, instead of asking same thing on multiple threads. Although forum moderators will usually collect these up when they have time.
It depends on how you run the DAC. Generally DSD256 gives you best audio band performance, while DSD512 is good balance if you also want to minimize left-over out-of-band noise levels, for example if you use class-D amps that can have aliasing issues.
With the new AHM7EC8B modulator DSD1024 can actually show up results that make it competitive choice. So the modulator choice is also important, whenever we are talking about any specific rate.
Ah, perfect.
As far as amps go, I’m probably in the minority here. I run my DAC 200 into 2W 45 tube SET monoblocks which use very high bandwidth vintage transformers. I’ll have to play with the different DSD rates to see what works best.
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