Bryston BDA-3

DSD over PCM or DoP really IS DSD. It's just packed inefficiently, so there are limits to the DSD, usually DSD 128 is the maximum.

Native DSD is better only because it allows quad DSD over USB, and has no real benefit for playing the round disks, only useful for downloads.

Best,

E

Thanks, E.  My HD downloads sound spectacular on the Bryston, but the L.E.D. still lights up as DSD over PCM...
I know that you own the Brooklyn, E.  I've never had a chance to compare the Brooklyn vs the Manhatten, but as I've noted, the Manhatten clearly bests the Bryston in red book and my other digital sources ( for me, primarily, my Bluesound Vault 2).  If only Mytek would add HDMI inputs...The Bryston is enhancing my SACD, however, so I am going to keep both DACs and eat rice and beans for a while

Nekoaudio,

Could you please tell us what R2R and Sabre DCS`s you compared the AKM4490 to?

@mahler123,
I am wondering - DSD does not output from coax in case of Oppo. So how were you able to compare the same SACD on Bryston Vs Mytek? Or maybe I got it wrong, and you are comparing only the PCM on both the DACs?

@plutos AKM4490, R2R, and SABRE implementations in general? Here are some DACs I can remember right now with those chipsets/designs, that I had  recently or have right now.

AKM4490: Marantz AV8803A, Bryston BDA-3, AKM Reference Board

R2R: Audio-gd Master Something, Schiit Yggdrasil

SABRE: OPPO HA-1, OPPO Sonica DAC, Auralic Vega