Before you get too excited about this, just remember that we are talking about downloads and not streaming because of the file sizes and bandwidth required. It will also not be something that you can truly experience through a pair of wireless headphones at this point unless your source and headphones support the wireless transmission of hi-res lossless files; aptX Lossless will not support DSD or DXD as far as we know.
Does your streaming device have a lot of storage space? DAPs will be fine but how many will download huge DSD/DXD files to their Android smartphones or iPhones?
Not a criticism but a practical question.
So what’s going on?
Qobuz has announced the launch of Direct Stream Digital (DSD) and Digital eXtreme Definition (DXD) audio formats on its high-fidelity download store. Since it launched in France in 2007, and in the US in 2019, Qobuz has consistently led the field in terms of the highest-quality music files, and its introduction of DSD/DXD continues that commitment.
Beginning today, Qobuz listeners can experience DSD and DXD on the platform’s download store with more than 22,500 tracks now available, mainly in DSD format, adding to the more than 100 million songs already available.
Offering a unique approach to sound reproduction, DSD and DXD are high-resolution audio formats that are distinct from the traditional PCM system used in formats like WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and AIFF.
Traditional high-resolution audio formats, like PCM, sample sound at rates up to 192,000 times per second (192 kHz). DXD pushes this further, sampling at 352,800 times per second, offering the potential for even greater detail.
DSD further increases sampling rates to 2.8 million samples per second using a 1-bit binary method. This is the same format used in SACDs. However, Qobuz states each DSD and DXD album is created by their labels directly and are not re-encoded using SACD.
If you want the best out of the music you’re consuming, browse Qobuz’ titles available now in DSD and DXD formats including albums from prestigious labels including Sony Music, Universal Music, Columbia, RCA, Epic, ECM, Deutsche Grammophon and harmonia mundi, and watch out for more coming soon.
A quick taste of some of the iconic works now available in these formats are:
- Thriller – Michael Jackson
- Mahler: Symphony No.5, Kindertotenlieder – Christa Ludwig, Berliner Philharmoniker…
- Blue Train – John Coltrane
- The Köln Concert (Live) – Keith Jarett
- Let It Bleed – The Rolling Stones
- Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
The Bottom Line
With so many high-end DACs (and Dongle DACs), DAPs and network players supporting DSD/DXD at this point, this decision by Qobuz to make it available through its download store makes sense. Audiophiles who have experienced the difference between DSD and PCM files will find this rather exciting, but most mainstream listeners will not. You are not using Bluetooth to transmit DSD/DXD to your Apple AirPods.
Storage and bandwidth issues will keep this an audiophile pursuit.
Availability
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