Playing SACD on a Non-SACD Player

The main problem with standard PCM technology is that it requires both steep (brick wall) filters to block frequencies above 20kHz (specifically at 22.05kHz) which is difficult to build. It also requires the addition of re-quantization noise for its decimation (down-sampling) digital filters and interpolation (up-sampling) digital filters. These problems limit the actual fidelity of the reproduced audio.

DSD Downconversion

Using single stage FIR digital filtering and noise shaping, 1-bit DSD can be down-converted into standard 24, 20 or even 16-bit PCM audio for CD distribution while still retaining the maximum possible audio quality. The system's 2.8224 MHz sampling rate is specifically designed for high precision down-conversion to all current PCM sampling rates using simple integer multiplies and divides.

Article written and illustrated by:
Shahin Al Rashid
Technical Director
Canada Promedia Inc.
Copyright 2001.

The redbook machine can't read a single layer SACD disc at
all. The redbook player can only read the redbook layer on
a hybrid disc, which is written in a language it understands.

Yup. That's it exactly.

IMO, some of the criticism of the redbook layer of CD/SACD Hybrid discs is due to the lack of attention paid to the redbook mastering as opposed to any inherent technical inferiority in the redbook layer of a CD/SACD disc. CD/SACD disc manufacturers devote most, if not all of their resources to the mastering/re-mastering and production of the SACD recording, and very little of their resources are devoted to the optimization of the redbook recording. This is especially apparent CD/SACD re-issues...like Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".

1-bit DSD can be down-converted into standard 24, 20 or even 16-bit PCM audio for CD distribution while still retaining the maximum possible audio quality. The system's 2.8224 MHz sampling rate is specifically designed for high precision down-conversion to all current PCM sampling rates using simple integer multiplies and divides.

1-bit DSD can be down-converted into standard 24, 20 or even 16-bit PCM audio for CD distribution while still retaining the maximum possible audio quality. The system's 2.8224 MHz sampling rate is specifically designed for high precision down-conversion to all current PCM sampling rates using simple integer multiplies and divides.

Rwwear, despite this statement, repeated from your earlier post, redbook-only players will not play SACD discs. If you can point us in the direction of a CD-only player that can play SACD discs, please do so. I think we would all like to know about it.

The answer to Lkissinger's original question:

Is there any benefit at all to playing a SACD on a normal red book player?

...is that there is no benefit, since normal redbook players can not read SACD discs.

Duh! I never said they could. What I am trying to get through to you is that DSD mastered discs are more easily mixed down to 16 bit thus gaining better sound quality than discs originally mastered using PCM. If one can believe a power cord can make a difference in sound quality(not you in particular)then they might think that better mastering should also.