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Why does Denon 3910 default to PCM for sacds?

I have been made aware of this by Alex Peychev. He states, "Anyway, the 3910 Source Direct ON/OFF mode is in the On-Screen menu in the Audio Settings. You need a monitor. When you select Source Direct ON you have true DSD. If it's OFF the DSD is converted to 176.4/24 PCM. Be aware that the Factory Default is Source Direct OFF, so the machine converts DSD to PCM. You need to go and change that." I have tried it both ways and it makes a substantial difference in the realism of the sound.

I suspect that Denon's indifference to sacd and the desire to hear sacds in dsd conversion is overridden by their expectation that most will be interested in only dvds and HT.
tbg
pardales
652 posts
 
This is very useful, thank you, all. A question on the SACD filter settings. In the Audio set-up menu you can choose between 50 khz and 100khz (I think). Is one better as a set-it-and-forget-it or is it disc dependent? Thanks, again,
tbg OP
5,263 posts
 
Pardales, I did some switching back and forth and heard no differences. I just set it on 100k Hz and forgot it.
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Pardales, you really need to experiment with this setting. Depending on your system and taste you might like one or the other. In general, 50KHz is recommended. This will give you more focus and high octaves resolution. The 100KHz will sound a bit rolled and muddy, but you might like it as it is more forgiving/rounded.

Regards,
Alex
pardales
652 posts
 
Thank you Alex and Tbg.
henryhk
648 posts
 
Is this the same for denon's DVD A1XVA? I've just ordered one....prefer over 3910 due to its video capabilites.
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