15% OFF through December 28, 2021
(automatically applied at checkout)

During 2021, the NativeDSD family of music labels released hundreds of DSD albums in a wide variety of musical genres – from Pop and Rock to Jazz, Blues, Soul and Funk, Electronic, Swing, World, Gospel, Christmas, Classical and more.  

Next comes the difficult part. How do we select the Best DSD Albums of the Year? As has been the tradition in the past few years, NativeDSD has asked the two of us  – Senior Reviewer Bill Dodd and Technical Advisor Brian Moura – to carefully review the year’s DSD releases and bring our listeners 2 to 5 nominations in several musical categories.  

Today we reveal the Nominations in these 5 Categories:

Jazz Duo

Opera & Operetta

Electronic Music

Vocal Solo

Jazz Piano

This is a great way to applaud and reward the excellent music and performances that the music labels and artists have brought us this year. And it also is a guide for our listeners to see what we have selected as the best DSD music in 2021. It highlights what you may have missed during the year.  

But don’t worry – all of these Best of DSD releases are still available at the Native DSD Music store. Just in time to enhance your personal DSD collection as you prepare for some fine holiday musical enjoyment.  

And now, the nominees for The Best of DSD in 2021… Part 3!

Category: JAZZ DUO (Brian Moura)

Amulet (One Microphone Recording) by Michael Moore & Paul Berner (Sound Liaison SL1048A)

On Amulet, we have two talented Jazz musicians – Michael Moore on Clarinet and Paul Berner on Double Bass. Berner first appeared at NativeDSD with his band on a tribute to the music of John Lennon and Paul McCartney titled This Bird Has Flown. 

Recorded with One Microphone by Sound Liaison’s Frans de Rond, Amulet is the kind of album that lends itself to this recording technique.  Moore’s Clarinet takes the lead and Berner’s Double Bass follows along, with the two musicians participating in a very musical interplay. It is straight forward good music. A pleasure to sit back and enjoy.

– Brian Moura

Soft Shoulders by Ack van Rooyen & Juraj Stanik (Sound Liaison SL1046A)

This is another one of Sound Liaison’s minimally mic’d recordings. Soft Shoulders features flugelhorn player Ack van Rooyen accompanied by pianist Juraj Stanik. In this case, van Rooyen’s Flugelhorn appears in the Right Channel and Stanik’s Piano is in the Left Channel. The album features 10 well known standards played simply with just horn and piano. It is an excellent recording and a fine musical performance.

The list of people Ack van Rooyen worked with in his 75 year long career is endless, to name a few; Miles Davis (Montreux festival), Gil Evans Orchestra, Clark Terry Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Toots Thielemans, Steve Gadd, Jan Gabarek, Kenny Clarke, Niels Henning Ørsted Petersen, Aimé Barelli Orchestra (Paris), Peter Herbolzheimer Big Band, WDR Big Band, Dutch Jazz Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, SFB Bigband, Süd-Deutscher Rundfunk Orchestra and the Clarke-Boland Bigband. Sadly, legendary Dutch jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist Ack van Rooyen just passed away in November 2021.

– Brian Moura

Category: OPERA & OPERETTA (Bill Dodd)

Mozart Arias by Ombra Compagna & Lisette Oropesa (Pentatone PTC5186885)

What a wonderful release this is, Lisette Oropesa in her solo debut album of Mozart arias! Everything you could expect: agility, breath control, wonderful range. She makes the lyrics live and breathe! Antonello Manacorda’s conducting is excellent as well. A sparkling program!

– Bill Dodd

Bernstein: Candide by London Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop & Soloists (LSO Live LSO0834)

Also sparkling is Marin Alsop’s take on Leonard Bernstein’s operetta, Candide!

Lenny was Alsop’s mentor, and she does him proud. We are certainly used to Bernstein’s overture, a favorite orchestral lollipop, but when I heard the extra bit of tuba puffing going on in this rendition, I knew that we were in for something satirical and fun. A superb cast is doing something they obviously love. The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are, as you’d expect, excellent.

– Bill Dodd

Puccini: Il Tabarro by Melody Moore, Lester Lynch, Dresdner Philharmonie, Marek Janowski (Pentatone PTC5186773)

The first of three one-act operas Puccini combined into his Trittico, Il Tabarro is an extremely “forward-looking” work. As the booklet notes, “you will hear impressionist harmonies, allusions to Stravinsky, and dramatically significent self-borrowings.”  I’ve always wished that Puccini had written more orchestral works, as he was a master of orchestration. Il Tabarro shines when presented by itself, and this recording is superb, both in recording quality and in the work of the artists involved. They make Il Tabarro shine all on its own.

– Bill Dodd

Category: ELECTRONIC MUSIC (Brian Moura)

eNerd IV – Time Capsule 2020 (a.k.a. Farewell Party for Normality) (Pure DSD) by eNerd (Hunnia Records HRES2021)

Time Capsule 2020 is an electronic music album celebrating the end of the year 2020. This is a Live to Stereo Pure DSD 256 recording from Hunnia Records.  It features Endre Huszar (also known as “eNerd”), Luca Kezdy, Peta Lukacs and Dure.  

The 5 tracks on Time Capsule 2020 are original compositions performed on a variety of instruments including Drums, Vocoder, Violin, Seven String Electric Guitar and the InstaDrum which merges the music of electronic drum pads and an acoustic drum kit. The album features some of the best sounding electronic music performances that I have heard. If experimental, electronic music is a musical genre that you enjoy, I would recommend giving eNerd IV a listen.

– Brian Moura

Empty Triangles (Exclusive NativeDSD Edition) by Empty Triangles (AudioDefine Records SGSEMPT1) 

This is one of the more unusual releases this year at NativeDSD. The album indicates that it was composed and produced by Cask Thomson of AudioDefine Records. But there is no information about the members of Empty Triangles – the name of the band playing on this self-titled debut album. I guess we will have to keep wondering who the members of the “triangle” are.

That said, the album features an enjoyable mix of electronic and rhythmic rock music with a space theme. It is an Analog Recording that has been transferred to Direct Stream Digital (DSD) for release at NativeDSD. I have listened to Empty Triangles a number of times, enjoying it more each time. Electronic Music and Rock fans will want to give this album a listen.

– Brian Moura

Category: VOCAL SOLO (Bill Dodd)

Formidable! (French Chansons) by Thomas Oliemans, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Candida Thompson (Channel Classics 43321)

Chanson! A style that is recognizable world-wide for being uniquely French! But the Dutch operatic and concert baritone Thomas Oliemans grew up hearing the great French Chansons we all know. On this album, Oliemans proves that he is equally adept at the piano and singing these marvelous “Chansons”.

In addition to Brel, Legrand, Becaud, and Barbara, you will hear an overture from Franck, and interludes from Debussy, Faure, and even a little of Ravel’s Bolero to introduce some of the songs. This is an album to be cherished.

– Bill Dodd

Shirat Miriam by Miriam Meghnagi (Fonè Records SACD047)

What a treasure this album is!  Miriam Meghnagi sings Jewish songs, accompanied by Guitarist Domenico Ascione. The words are Hebrew, Yiddish, or Ladino, and the songs are from Spain, Italy, and Eastern Europe.  These songs are rich in tradition and history of a people scattered across many places, but hearing them for the very first time, with no expectation,  I hear so much that reminds me of simple folk songs, some Yiddish Theater, and even French Chanson. Great sound, marvelous singing, I love it!

Sa Kort Ein Sommar Menneska Har (Songs of Gisle Kverndokk) by  Marianne Beate Kielland & Nils Anders Mortensen (LWC1220 Lawo Classics)

Composer Gisle Kvemdokk writes:  “Summer is the main theme you’ll sense here. The bright summer. The light that gives life, but which eventually turns into darkness – the summer that passes into autumn. (…) Summer is short. Life is short.”  World class soprano Marianne Beate Kielland is accompanied by pianist Nils Anders Mortensen. Wonderful music, with an excellent recording.

Category: JAZZ PIANO (Brian Moura)

The Lost 1965 New York Studio Sessions by Bob James (2xHD-Resonance Records 2XHDRE1196)

Pianist Bob James is best known as the composer of the theme to the TV Show “Taxi” and the artist that released a series of Smooth Jazz albums on Columbia Records and Tappen Zee in the 1970s and 1980s. On The Lost 1965 New York Studio Sessions we hear an earlier and different side of Bob James.  

Playing music that some have described as Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz. It is different from the Bob James that many knew – or thought they knew.  But it is very enjoyable Jazz and well worth adding to your Jazz collection.

– Brian Moura

Explosive by Dorothy Donegan (2xHD-Jazzology Records 2XHDJA1207) 

2xHD Mastering dips into the Jazzology Records catalog to bring us Explosive by Jazz Pianist and Vocalist Dorothy Donegan. Donegan was said to be a protege of legendary pianist Art Tatum. This album certainly bears that out. Donegan’s playing, backed by bassist Jerome Hunter and drummer Ray Mosca, is energetic, forceful, and yes – explosive! Add in her vocals and you have a fast paced and enjoyable journey into her world of Jazz piano.

– Brian Moura

Love You Madly: Live at Bubba’s (Double Album) by Monty Alexander (2xHD-Resonance Records 2XHDRE1187)

Pianist Monty Alexander is well known for his unique piano style which mixes Jazz with the music of Jamaica where he was born.  Many listeners are familiar with his recordings on Concord Jazz and Telarc.  

Love You Madly hails from an earlier time, back in 1982 when Alexander played a 13 track, 92-minute set at Bubba’s. The album was recorded to Stereo Analog Tape by Mack Emerman, the legendary founder of Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios.  Emerman was a big Monty Alexander fan and brought in a mobile recording setup to record this session.  It is a fine album full of excellent Jazz performances.  Love You Madly quickly became a #1 Best Seller at NativeDSD Music in 2021. When you listen to the album, there is no doubt why.

– Brian Moura

NativeDSD Music would like to thank Bill Dodd and Brian Moura for countless hours of careful listening to the hundreds of albums that were released during the year 2021. Selecting just a few albums for each category has been a daunting job for them. And we appreciate it a lot that they decided to go for it again this year!!! Thank you very much Brian & Bill.

UNKNOWN CATEGORY, BUT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD HEAR IT!

Senior NativeDSD Reviewer Bill Dodd added one more album to his “Best of 2021” DSD Releases list. One that he could not add into any of his categories. However, he believes more people should hear it, and we believe him when he says that! So here’s an extra little treat, also available at 15% OFF until December 22nd, even though it is not actually included within any specific AOTY nominations category.

Holst: The Planets by Buzz Brass and Melanie Barney, Organ (2xHD 2XHDFT1213)

I really like the Holst’s suite, The Planets.  It’s no Beethoven’s Fifth, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s always a good listen, and a good time. I’ve heard a few lackluster recordings, but I’ve heard many good ones. However, this one is totally unexpected: 5 brass players and one person at the organ taking the place of an entire orchestra with an amazing performance. The key is the arrangement by Enrico O. Dastous which has the organ taking the role of various instruments, but never the whole thing. It’s unique, it’s a hi-fi showpiece, but it’s a very enjoyable Planets as well. 

The post Albums of the Year 2021 – Nominations (Part 3 of 3) appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

During 2021, the NativeDSD family of music labels released hundreds of DSD albums in a wide variety of musical genres – from Pop and Rock to Jazz, Blues, Soul and Funk, Electronic, Swing, World, Gospel, Christmas, Classical and more.  

Next comes the difficult part. How do we select the Best DSD Albums of the Year? As has been the tradition in the past few years, NativeDSD has asked the two of us  – Senior Reviewer Bill Dodd and Technical Advisor Brian Moura – to carefully review the year’s DSD releases and bring our listeners 2 to 5 nominations in several musical categories.  

Today we reveal the Nominations in these 5 Categories:

Classical Guitar

Chamber Music

Blues, Funk & Soul

Solo Instrumental

Swing Jazz

This is a great way to applaud and reward the excellent music and performances that the music labels and artists have brought us this year. And it also is a guide for our listeners to see what we have selected as the best DSD music in 2021. It highlights what you may have missed during the year.  

But don’t worry – all of these Best of DSD releases are still available at the Native DSD Music store. Just in time to enhance your personal DSD collection as you prepare for some fine holiday musical enjoyment.  

And now, the nominees for The Best of DSD in 2021… Part 2!

Category: CLASSICAL GUITAR (Brian Moura)

Tuhu (Pure DSD) by Gaëlle Solal (Eudora Records EUDDR2003)

On Tuhu we are introduced to French guitar virtuosa Gaëlle Solal.  The album is her debut on Eudora.  It features the music of Pixinguinha, Nazareth, Jobim and Dyens in what the music label describes as a merger of “Brazilian Folk with Classical Music”. Eudora’s Producer and Recording Engineer Gonzalo Noque is a Classical Guitarist himself and has brought us several excellent Pure DSD 256 recordings by Classical Guitarist Ricardo Gallen. 

With Tuhu, there is a lot to highlight and praise. Solal’s performances of this music which features her own arrangements is joyous, sensitive and a treat to just relax and listen to.  Adding in the state of the art, direct to Pure DSD 256 recording and you have an album of memorable guitar music. Not to be missed.

– Brian Moura

Take Me Along (Ta’ Mig Med) – Kim Larsen Songs For Classical Guitar by Jesper Sivebaek (OUR Recordings 8226915)

This album was a bit of a surprise. Classical Guitarist Jesper Sivebaek says that he had two guitar heroes in his youth – Andres Segovia and Danish Rock Musician Kim Larsen. On Take Me Along (Ta’ Mig Med), Sivebaek brings us the product of 10 years of his work – arranging Kim Larsen’s music for Classical Guitar. The album is an enjoyable journey into Larsen’s music presented by a fine Classical Guitarist. Take Me Along is a very enjoyable album and listening to it quickly demonstrated why it was a popular one with NativeDSD listeners in 2021.

– Brian Moura

Category: CHAMBER MUSIC (Bill Dodd)

Chiaroscuro: Works for Clarinet and Piano by Ona Cardona and Josep Colom (Eudora Records EUDDR2105)

A charming and deeply felt performance from Ona Cardona, Clarinet, and Josep Colom, Piano. These duets from Brahms, and both Robert and Clara Schumann are what I call a perfect rainy Sunday afternoon concert. There is an intimacy in the presentation that make you feel that the artists are playing for you alone. The recording captures the sound of the instruments in that way as well.

– Bill Dodd

Rosanne Philippens plays Haydn & Stravinsky with The Vondel Strings (Channel Classics 43921)

The cover of this album is very appropriate: Rosanne Philippens standing between caricature silhouettes of Haydn and Stravinsky. She writes that the connection between the Haydn concertos and Stravinsky’s Le Baiser de la Fee is the “intelligence and humor” which is so evident in all. I believe that along with her obvious talents and abilities, Rosanne Philippens always seems like she is having a very good time. She is accompanied by the excellent Vondel Strings.

– Bill Dodd

La Muse by Prisma String Trio (Cobra Records COBRA0080)

From the booklet notes:  “La Muse features two completely different works by French composers both written in 1944:Trio à Cordes Op.105 by Florent Schmitt and Suite La Muse Ménagère’ by Darius Milhaud. One is turbulent and magnificent, the other intimate and poetic. The two composers could not be more different and might be said to clash. And yet, Prisma String Trio feel their works are a beautiful match and complement each other well.“   The first half of the 20^th Century was an especially amazing time for music, including these two composers.  The Prisma String Trio brings a personal touch to these works, and the results are quite enjoyable.  Cobra’s recording is excellent.

– Bill Dodd

Category: FUNK, BLUES & SOUL (Brian Moura)

Live Acoustic Session (Pure DSD) by Little G Weevil (Hunnia Records HRES2106) 

This album is a Live to Stereo Pure DSD 256 recording featuring Blues Singer and Acoustic Guitarist Little G Weevil. Weevil is a multi-award-winning Blues Singer who has traveled throughout Europe and the United States.  It features 17 tracks and almost 90 minutes of the blues – just acoustic guitar and vocals. The songs are heartfelt and the performances ripple with feeling. The excellent Stereo Pure DSD 256 recording is icing on the cake. A must have for fans of the Blues!

– Brian Moura

Funky Butt by Arnett Cobb (2xHD-Jazzology 2xHDJA1197)

Tenor Saxophone player Arnett Cobb is a Jazz Legend who was known as the “Wild Man of the Tenor Sax”.  His playing featured elements of Jazz, Swing, Soul and Stomps.  On Funky Butt, 2xHD Mastering dips into the catalog of Jazzology Records to bring us a collection of Cobb’s tasty sax playing backed by Derek Smith, Ray Drummond, and Ronnie Bedford.  From start to finish this album is exciting and entertaining, offering insight as to how Arnett Cobb influenced many genres of music in his day and for generations to come. 

– Brian Moura

Dionne Bennett – Sugar Hip Ya Ya (Pure DSD) (Hunnia Records HRES2116)

Sugar Hip Ya Ya is a Soul Album recorded in Stereo DSD 256 by singer-songwriter, producer, and radio personality Dionne Bennett. The album also features 7 original songs that were written or co-written by Blues Singer Little G Weevil.  

The album features Dionne Bennett delivering a passionate performance of Tell Mama (made famous by Etta James) and a swinging edition of Yes We Can Can (originally sung by The Pointer Sisters). Bennett is known as a singer that has performed with many famed music stars in musical genres including Blues, Jazz to Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Reggae, Drum Bass Funk and Rock. Her versatility and musical chops are on full display here.  Sugar Hip Ya Ya quickly became a best-selling album this year at NativeDSD. One listen and you will quickly find out why.

– Brian Moura

Category: SOLO INSTRUMENTAL (Bill Dodd)

Bach: Goldberg Variations by Hannes Minnaar (Challenge Records CC72859)  

So many Goldbergs to choose from! This new one from Hannes Minnaar is a standout for clarity, phrasing, tonality, and a sense of letting a complete work flow from all of these variations. Excellent engineering captures Minnaar’s piano perfectly. Personally I’d rank this very highly next to my favorites.

Música Callada (Silent Music) by Josep Colom (Eudora Records EUDDR2101)

Federico Mompou (1893-1987) is a Catalan composer known primarily for his songs and solo piano works. He was an accomplished pianist, but his extreme shyness caused him to devote himself exclusively to composition.  Musica Callada (Silent Music) is a suite of short, deceptively simple piano pieces which become increasingly meaningful as one listens. Josep Colom is marvelous in these pieces. A very fine recording as well!

Shaping Chopin by Anna Fedorova (43621 Channel Classics)

Anna Fedorova has the perfect touch for Chopin, and Channel Classics engineering captures is perfectly.  Her program of “Waltzes, Mazurkas, and Nocturnes is absolutely delightful.  She is delicate, she is strong, and she truly tells the story of each piece in her playing.  All six (so far) of her Albums for Channel Classics are award-worthy.

Category: SWING JAZZ (Brian Moura)

Eisemann Songbook (Pure DSD) by PapaJazz (Hunnia Records HRES2018) 

This album by Jazz Sextet PapaJazz is a swinging tribute to the upbeat Jazz music of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s written by Milhaly Eisemann. It is a Live to Stereo Pure DSD 256 recording from Hunnia Records. Eisemann Songbook is unique, not only for the period music that it brings to the listener, but also in the use of vintage instruments which provide added flavor to the songs. This includes the use of a C Melody Saxophone which ended production in the early 1930s but is played on this album by two PapaJazz members.  

I was not familiar with the tracks on this album or the music from this period.  But I will say that the music is upbeat, swinging, thoroughly entertaining and takes you to a different era. A surprisingly delightful album.

– Brian Moura

Flèche d’or (Arrow of Gold) (One Microphone Recording) by Swingaro (2xHD 2XHDFT1209)

Rene Laflamme of 2xHD Mastering is best known for his Analog Tape to DSD remasters of classic Jazz recordings. On occasion, Rene also records original music for the 2xHD music label. Arrow of Gold is an example of one of these original recordings. 

This album features the Swing Jazz group appropriately named Swingaro performing music composed by Django Reinhardt, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and George Ulmer. The recording uses the One Microphone Recording technique and was recorded to Analog Tape and then transferred from Analog to DSD and DXD. It is an enjoyable album that won over a number of NativeDSD listeners in 2021.

– Brian Moura

Friends Talk (Pure DSD) by ArpiShow (Hunnia Records HRES2114)

ArpiShow is a 6-member Swing Jazz orchestra formed in 2017 by clarinet and saxophone player Arpad Dennert (hence the name “ArpiShow”). The group’s motto is “Pure Swing, Nothing Else!”  

Friends Talk features 13 tracks and almost 1 hour of Swing Jazz music.  Some tracks are purely instrumental while others also include a vocalist. I found Friends Talk to be very entertaining, full of swinging performances captured in stellar Pure DSD 256 sound quality.  One NativeDSD listener called it one of the best albums he has downloaded to date with excellent performances, music and sound quality that is a game changer. That says it all.

– Brian Moura

NativeDSD Music would like to thank Bill Dodd and Brian Moura for countless hours of careful listening to the hundreds of albums that were released during the year 2021. Selecting just a few albums for each category has been a daunting job for them. And we appreciate it a lot that they decided to go for it again this year!!! Thank you very much Brian & Bill.

The post Albums of the Year 2021 – Nominations (Part 2 of 3) appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

Guaranteed Native DSD and DXD files

NativeDSD.com is closely policing the origins of recordings and we only allow DSD, DXD or Very High Bit Rate PCM files, and analogue direct transfers to DSD and DXD.

To get started, download our Starter Pack: 6 wonderful tracks in DSD. (Free download in DSD 64!)

What you will need to play our music files

Most DSD capable Digital Audio Players (DAPs) and Optical Disc Players have built in music playback software that supports DSD playback. So, no additional music software is needed with these products.

On the other hand, most Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) do not include music software. So, listeners will need to get a DSD music program for use with a DAC.

DSD Music Software:

• JRiver Media Center: Stereo and Multichannel (www.jriver.com)
• Audirvana: Stereo and Multichannel (https://audirvana.com/)
• HQ Player: Stereo and Multichannel (www.hqplayer.com)
• Roon: Stereo and Multichannel (www.roonlabs.com)
• In iTunes you can play DSD files when using BitPerfect and DSD Master (Read more in our Quick Guide) [MAC only]
• There are many more applications that can play DSD files, find them here

Note: Some DSD Music Software programs will not play all DSD bit rates, especially the higher DSD bit rates such as DSD 512 and DSD 1024 and Multichannel DSD. Check the specifications on the DSD Music Software for this before buying, and then test it in your complete signal chain.

iPhone, iPad and Android DSD playback apps

• Onkyo HF Player for Android
• USB Audio Player Pro for Android
• iPhone and iPad DSD playback from Onkyo
• More mobile apps can be found here

Digital to Analogue (D/A) Conversion: Output Hardware

When listening to DSD and other digital music files, they must first be converted back to Analog to be heard. This is done by products including Digital Audio Players (DAPs), Optical Disc Players and Digital to Analog Converters (DACs). As noted earlier, DAPs and Optical Disc Players usually include DSD music playback in their internal programs and an additional music playback program and a computer is not needed in these cases.

On the other hand, if you are using a DAC, you will need a computer and a music software program in most cases to play DSD, DXD and Very High Bit Rate PCM music files.

There are literally hundreds of DAC’s on the market, and they are available in a wide variety of prices. By the way, NativeDSD also sells DAC’s in the Gear store.

You connect the DAC to your computer or portable device commonly with a USB, Ethernet, or I2S-cable. From the DAC you plug in your Headphones or send the signal to your amplifier and speaker system.

We created the DSD Database to give you a full overview of what is available in both Hardware and Software. It is updated weekly and contains a list of DACs with their list price, supported DSD bit rates and link to manufacturer’s website as well as playback Software / Conversion software lists.

Here is a cool tip: when you select the letter above the ‘price’ column in our database, you can sort the DACs for pricing. It looks like this.

If you already own a PCM-only DAC

If you already own a DAC, but is does not support (native)DSD playback:

• You can still play DSD files if you use a software player that understands a DSD bitstream and: can down-convert the music to PCM as it is playing the file.

This way you are investing in original quality audio files. Great for when the time comes you are upgrading your DAC and don’t want to re-purchase the same music in a higher resolution!

Different Types of DSD files

Now, we’ll take a look at what kind of files are available and what they mean. Just like any other audio format, DSD files also use a three-character extension. DSD files come in either a .dsf or .dff extension.

The .dsf file stores audio data with ID3v2.2 (or higher version) tags. A .dff file is the same thing, but without the possibility to store tags within the file.

Files at NativeDSD are in .dsf only

The .dff file extension (Direct Stream Digital Interchange File Format (DSDIFF)) is a data format used to store audio data and was developed by Sony and Philips, It is used in digital audio workstations during the recording process.

At NativeDSD.com we sell DSD files in the .dsf format, and carefully tag the files to make sure they show up in your screen with the correct album cover art, artist and song titles and album information.

Differences between DSD and PCM

There’s no relationship between any DSD bit rate, and any PCM sample rate. Any DSD bit rate can be converted (remodulated) to any PCM sample rate, and vice versa. DXD (352.8 kHz) and Very High Bit Rate PCM (384 kHz) are the highest professional PCM rates employed today. DXD started as an editing format developed by Philips and Merging Technologies.

DSD and PCM are completely different digital encoding standards.

PCM is a series of completely independent binary coded samples representing actual numerical arithmetic values of signal level at the time of the sample.

DSD is a modulated bit stream comprised of a population of (clock) bits whose density is proportional to signal level, and unlike PCM, DSD contains no numerical values. Recording in DSD 256 does not imply any PCM derivative of any sample rate.

• With PCM, think of movie film made of individual stand alone frames, each containing a separate picture (or signal value) in a sequence of separate pictures.
• With DSD, think of a picket fence with more or less pickets present, proportional to the original signal level.

The word “Upsampling” applies only to PCM to (another form of) PCM, which contains samples to be rate multiplied. Converting any DSD rate to another DSD bit rate involves remodulation, not simple multiplication and interpolation as with PCM to PCM.

DXD Files

DXD (352.8 kHz PCM) and Very High Bit Rate PCM Files (384 kHz PCM) are two very high bit rate versions of PCM. We offer music files in DXD and 384 kHz PCM when the original recordings are made and provided to NativeDSD music in those formats.

DSD and DXD files will sound different on some audio systems based on the design of the digital to analog conversion. In most systems, the first stage in the digital to analog conversion is a 1-bit Sigma Delta Modulator (SDM). In these systems, presenting a 1-bit DSD signal at the highest bit rate the system supports will result in the best sound quality. In other systems, including R2R resistor-based converters, a DXD or 384 kHz PCM file may sound better since the R2R conversion process stays in PCM mode throughout.

If you end up with a DSD version of an album that you’d rather like to hear in DXD, we are always willing to accommodate that. Send us a request by email.

We ship all DXD tracks tagged. So FLAC and Broadcast WAV are the PCM containers that we use (as do most online music stores). DXD and Very High Bit Rate 384 khz PCM are the only PCM sample rates we sell.

Additional Reading

• The subtle differences between PCM and DSD
• PDM and PCM explained in relation to DSD
• Read more about DXD here.
• Why We Sell Albums in Multiple DSD Bit Rates and DXD

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Cover Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash

The post Playing DSD, DXD and Very High Bit Rate PCM files appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

It seems like an easy question to answer. After all, NativeDSD is known for its extensive catalog of Jazz albums with hundreds of titles available. But which ones to recommend? In answering the question, I selected 9 Jazz favorites of mine. Interestingly, all 9 of the Jazz favorites are DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD releases. Here’s what I recommended – along with a few comments on why.  I invite you to drop by NativeDSD and consider these albums the next time you go DSD Jazz shopping.

NOLA: Music from New Orleans (One Microphone Recording) by Red (Sound Liaison)

NOLA is an album that pays tribute to the Jazz music of New Orleans.  It is a live, DXD recording from Sound Liaison using their One Microphone Recording technique.  To ensure that the album was authentic, two members of the Red Jazz Quartet went to New Orleans to check out the Jazz scene there and perform a few tunes.  When you listen to NOLA you will see they nailed it.  This is fine New Orleans Jazz performed by a European Jazz Quartet playing at a very high level.

Love You Madly: Live at Bubba’s by Monty Alexander (2xHD Mastering – Resonance Records)

This is an easy choice.  I’ve long been a fan of Jazz pianist Monty Alexander.  His unique blend of Jamaican roots and Jazz piano is very tasty.  Love You Madly is a double album of Monty playing with a talented trio.  It is a Live Recording made by Mack Emerman, founder of Miami’s legendary Criteria Recording Studios.  The album features 90 minutes of Jazz that you will enjoy and savor.

Skylark by Mike del Ferro (2020 Solo Piano Album of the Year) (Sound Liaison)

Skylark by Mike del Ferro is another example of Jazz piano music.  I was not familiar with del Ferro until the release of this album last year by Sound Liaison.  Skylark features 15 tracks that include several standards.  His melodic and engaging style makes Skylark a fine addition to any Jazz collection.

Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Yarlung)

When the self-titled debut album by the Yuko Mabuchi Trio arrived at NativeDSD, many people discovered this amazing Jazz Trio.  Pianist Yuko Mabuchi brings an energetic and passionate feel to the selections on this album.  Matched by the playing of two Jazz veterans – Del Atkins on Bass and Bobby Breton on Drums.  It’s a musical tour de force that is not to be missed.

Yuko Mabuchi Trio with JJ Kirkpatrick Plays Miles Davis (Yarlung)

Once you hear the Yuko Mabuchi Trio debut album, the next stop will be to pick up the trio’s next recording.  Here the trio is joined by Trumpeter JJ Kirkpatrick for a stellar tribute to Jazz great Miles Davis.  It is a very engaging set of 5 Miles Davis originals and 3 new compositions.  Showing once again the serious Jazz chops of this talented trio with a guest trumpeter to place a cherry at the top of this musical delight.

Some Other Time: The Lost Session From The Black Forest by Bill Evans (2xHD Mastering – Resonance Records)

Some Other Time is one of the Best Selling Jazz albums in the NativeDSD catalog.  And for good reason.  Here listeners can enjoy a double album featuring 93 minutes of previously unavailable performances of Jazz Legend Bill Evans on piano with Eddie Gomez on Bass and Jack De Johnette on Drums.  The Original Analog Tapes of these recordings were discovered by the team at Resonance Records and transferred to Stereo DSD 256 by 2xHD Mastering.  Jazz experts have referred to the album as an “extraordinary find”, “captivating”, and “remarkable”.  If you want to add an album of Bill Evans to your music library, this is the place to start.

The Sweetest Sound by Angelo Verploegen, Ed Verhoeff, Eric Van Der Westen (Just Listen)

NativeDSD’s in-house music label Just Listen has brought listeners a series of excellent Stereo and Multichannel DSD 256 recordings.  Near the top of anyone’s list of the Just Listen catalog would be the recordings featuring Flugelhorn player Angelo Verploegen.  On The Sweetest Sound, Angelo is joined by Ed Verhoeff on Guitar and Eric Van Der Westen on Double Bass as they perform 8 Jazz Standards. Verploegen’s Flugelhorn is warm and engaging with the Guitar and Double Bass enhancing the musical moments. If you want to get a taste of some of the fine Jazz albums from Just Listen, this is a great one to start with. Trust me, you will be back for more.

Feenbrothers Play Dave Brubeck by Feenbrothers (Sound Liaison)

Members of the Feenbrothers Jazz Quartet often appear as studio musicians and sidemen on the recordings of other musicians, including some in the NativeDSD catalog.  This time, the Feenbrothers – Paul van der Feen (Saxophone), Mark van der Feen (Piano). Clemens van der Feen (Double Bass) and Matthijs van der Feen (Drums) – have a family reunion and perform before a live audience. The album features favorites like Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5” plus some rousing numbers like “It’s A Raggy Waltz” and “Unsquare Dance” that has the audience clapping along with the quartet. This is an album with fine Jazz music, excellent performances and some just plain fun.

Cool Jazz (2020 Jazz Album of the Year) by Gabor Varga Jazz Trio (Hunnia Records)

Jazz Pianist Gabor Varga and his Jazz Trio released 3 DSD Stereo albums last year with Hunnia Records in Hungary. In one case, they even added a Vibes player to form a Jazz Quartet.  Varga and his Trio specialize in a type of Jazz that some call “Cool”.  It’s musical and fun to listen to.  So, a good place to start with your musical exploration of Jazz in DSD and the Gabor Varga Jazz Trio is, perhaps of course, their album simply titled “Cool Jazz”!

The post Can You Recommend Some DSD Jazz? (Brian’s Corner) appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

What NativeDSD Offers

NativeDSD only offers recordings that were originally recorded in DSD or DXD (352.8KHz PCM), or Analog recordings that have been transferred directly from Analog to DSD. In 2023, the program has expanded to allow other High PCM Rates like 192/176.6 and 96/88.1 kHz. On each album page, near the quality selector, you can find the original recorded resolution info.

Provenance of NativeDSD Releases

The overwhelming majority of the DSD recordings sold by NativeDSD were recorded in DSD, edited, and post processed in DXD, and then converted (modulated) into DSD deliverable bitrates. In many cases, these albums initially appeared on Super Audio CD (SACD) optical discs which can deliver Stereo and Multichannel DSD files at the DSD 64 bitrate (64 times the CD bitrate).

The exception to the above are the albums from labels including Eudora, Forward Music Italy, Hunnia, IsoMike, Just Listen Records, and Yarlung that are recorded in DSD, and do no PCM or DXD post processing mixing, level balancing, EQ etc.  That is do-able by restricting post processing to just editing, where only the edit transition interval (typically 100ms or less) is PCM converted, leaving the DSD music content unaltered when rendered and doing level changes in Signalyst’s HQ Player 4 Pro Mastering Tools which allows these changes to be performed in the DSD Domain.  

NativeDSD also offers albums that were recorded on Sony’s Sonoma DSD Workstation.  These recordings are either recorded direct to the Sonoma or use the workstation’s “DSD Wide” format for post-production.

Limited DSD post-production that remains in the DSD domain is also possible today with Signalyst’s new HQ Player 4 Professional products. Expect to see more albums released using these tools in the future.

Creating DSD 64 and Higher Bitrate DSD Releases

When NativeDSD receives an album for release, it is most of the time provided in one rate. To bring it to the listener in multiple formats and bitrates, it is often necessary to generate additional album editions.

A good example of this is when an album is delivered in DSD 256 or DSD 128 format. Listeners that have systems that can only play DSD 64 bitrate releases need a DSD 64 edition that sometimes must be created by NativeDSD.

For releases that originated from DSD recordings, the DSD edited master (the actual recording master with edits) is used with Signalyst’s HQ Player 4 Pro and the Signalyst professional software is used to re-modulate the missing DSD bitrates. This software is also used to create Stereo DSD 512 editions of these albums in some cases.

When albums are recorded in DSD and include DXD post production – or are recorded and post-produced in DXD, NativeDSD acquires the label’s original DXD edited master.  With these albums, NativeDSD then uses Merging Technologies’ Pyramix 12 workstation software and the new “MICO” modulators to create first generation DSD 64, DSD 128, and DSD 256 Stereo and Multichannel files, as well as a DXD deliverable in 24-bit FLAC format. Additionally, on selected recordings, a 32bit PCM WAV file is extracted from the DXD edited master (the DXD PCM FLAC is 24 bits by format definition), and this 32bit file is used it to modulate and create a DSD 512 edition using HQ Player 4 Pro and the Signalyst professional software tools for release.

Why Does NativeDSD Offer Multiple DSD Bitrates & DXD Files?

Our goal at NativeDSD is to provide our listeners with a choice of DSD bitrates. This includes the DSD 64 bitrate that is familiar from SACD releases and one that is supported on all DSD capable optical disc players, digital to analog converters (DACs) and digital audio players (DAPs). As mentioned earlier, providing DSD 64 files gives listeners access to all 1,600+ albums at the NativeDSD store to date.

For listeners that have newer DACs, DAPs and disc players that support higher DSD bitrates (such as DSD 128, DSD 256, DSD 512) and DXD playback, these formats are offered as well on many newer releases.  This approach allows the listener to purchase the highest DSD bitrate that their DAC will support.

What is different with higher bitrate DSD releases is the uncorrelated modulation noise content placement in the frequency spectrum.  While the spectral shape is the same regardless of the DSD bitrate, its effective start and end points move an octave higher for every doubling of the DSD bitrate.  For DSD 64, the uncorrelated modulation noise is about -110dB at 20KHz, rising to about -50dB at 100KHz.  For DSD 512, the modulation noise is about -110dB at 160KHz, and -50dB at 800KHz. Higher bitrate DSD releases (including DSD 128, DSD 256, and DSD 512) facilitate the listener’s Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) operation utilizing gentler, less phase distorting reconstruction filters and algorithms in the Digital to Analog process. The result is music with far improved phase response, a sound that is less aggressive, more spacious and airier, and less “digital”.

It is our experience that listening to an album from NativeDSD at the highest DSD bitrate that your DAC supports is the best sounding. NativeDSD provides these purchasing choices to our listeners to bring you the best musical experience that you can experience with today’s recording technologies.  We hope you continue to enjoy these releases and look forward to your thoughts and continuing support.

First Reactions on the HRP from Listeners & Music Industry

After requests from listeners, digital audio manufacturers and the music industry, NativeDSD started a program of music releases in Stereo DSD 512 earlier this year in addition to our earlier releases in Stereo and Multichannel DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256, and DXD. 

The program started with a sampler titled 5 Tracks in DSD 512 which debuted at the High End Munich audio show during the announcement of Astell & Kern’s top of the line SP 2000 Digital Audio Player with DSD 512.  Customer reaction to this DSD 512 sampler led NativeDSD to release the full album editions of the music from these 5 albums and the program has expanded since then.

Desmond Fretz, audiophile of 50 years’ enjoyment of great music and sound www.starkesound.com listened to “Crossing” in DSD 128 Stereo

“The remaster sports more accurate start/stop, attack/decay. The result is fuller reproduction of the music-excited space. Here the imaging is completely spherical, utterly free of any blur, alive as in real life.”

“I consistently prefer the DSD 128 files [over the original DSD 64], mainly due to your vocal’s presentation (more defined, less “congested”, with better rendering of the studio space around you) but also because the bass lines are clearer and more integrated as elements of the band’s performance. Also, the overall sound staging is slightly broader and a bit more alive, delicate, ‘airy’.”

“Gooseflesh! Morning Light/Western Town in DSD 128 through HAP is Freakin’ Astounding. All testing ceased as I cranked the volume and just reveled in the repro, depth, 3-dimensionality, inspired playing, singing, grooving. John [Havard’s Fender Broadcaster solo] is there out front, 3 feet forward of the right speaker. I could reach and touch him. Sheer emotion.”

“Results are monumental! I am right now enjoying the best reproduction so far on my main system.

Desmond Fretz*

(*assessment of “Crossing” in DSD 128 Multichannel)

Last week I added additional room treatment to stunning effect so that’s in “play” but the presentation is eerily, frighteningly alive. Your Mch mix is so technically masterful that the illusion all us crazy audiophiles so ardently seek is in full, resplendent bloom. Your voice especially is being rendered in the “cocoon” of the studio space utterly detached from speakers and gear. We are there, immersed in music & sound, devoid of artifice.

I could try playing the SACD for comparison, but I don’t even want to today, only to revel in what’s happening right now. This is a whole ‘nother order of music enjoyment. That solid but elusive quality of release that I obsessively pursue is overflowing.”

Feedback from the Artist

And then there’s David Elias himself: “I am comparing DSD 128 and DSD 256 using the iFi Nano iDSD BL DAC. Quite a distinction between all 3 DSD bitrates (DSD 2.8 Mhz (DSD 64), DSD 5.6 Mhz (DSD 128), DSD 11.2 Mhz (DSD 256).  The original DSD 64 has higher gain and not the contours in sound of the higher DSD sample rates. It’s as if the room curves improved, even more so with the DSD 256.

The direct air between singer and listener as well as what is coming off the acoustic guitar (both center) are that much more personalized and relaxed yet distinct and round in delivery. These are phase improvements, back to the timing thing. Location is improved so we hear it closer to how it was intended and originally played in the room. All instruments have something of an atmospheric transformation to their delivery (attack) and decay. Very very pleasing to hear in this high high quality presentation.”

Rob Pennock, Audiophile Magazine Italy reviewed Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Rob reviewed Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in Stereo DSD 512, as well as Ning Feng, OSPA, Milanov: Virtuosismo [Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1 & Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 4]

Balance: 5
Inner balance: 5
Detail and clarity: 5
Dynamic range: 5

Recorded live at the orchestra’s home using an array of omni-directional and spot microphones, the original DSD 256 file has been converted to various PCM formats, including DXD (although given the limited editing capability of DSD it is usually the other way round) and DSD 512, which is a big step-up from the DSD 64 usually offered by Reference Recordings in Pittsburgh.

DSD 512 is more life-like and the unique timbre of all the instruments is better reproduced

Rob Pennock

Comparing DSD 512 and DSD 256 in the Scherzo, at the start within a fairly – but not unacceptably – close overall balance, the halls slightly over-spacious acoustic is even more vividly recreated (the reverberation time can be counted) in 512. There is an exceptional sense of depth, the scampering woodwind doesn’t sound amplified (unlike in the ensuing forte passages) and when the full orchestra enters the impact is even greater on the higher-res version, where you are knocked back in your seat. Indeed, you would have to go back to the 1960s to hear such thrilling brass sound.

In the Adagio the string tone has an analogue-like luster and again DSD512 is more life-like and the unique timbre of all the instruments is better reproduced. In absolute terms clarity and definition are pretty good and very similar to the Reference Recording of Strauss tone poems with the same players in DSD64, but here the sheer weight of sound and dynamic range are in a different class.

As with the Feng Virtuosismo Stereo DSD 512 album (Channel Classics) what you have here is digital sound coming of age and producing something that can be compared with the Decca, Mercury of Lyrita LPs and I would suggest that all Brucknerians and audiophiles should hear this.

Cover by Ankush Minda.

The post The Higher Rates Program appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

Now that all 3 of these albums have been released in DSD (and are available at the NativeDSD Music store), I thought it would be time to see what is happening In The DSD Studio. What I’ve found, as always, is that there are indeed some very interesting albums just released.

Michelle Mayne-Graves & Lifeline Quartet – Lifeline: Music of the Underground Railroad

A fine place to start is with Yarlung and their release from Michelle Mayne-Graves and the Lifeline Quartet. Yarlung Producer Bob Attiyeh and Special Advisor Billy Mitchell are the duo that brought the Yuko Mabuchi Trio to Yarlung and NativeDSD. So, it is only fitting that we start this edition of In The DSD Studio with their latest discovery – Michelle Mayne-Graves and the Lifeline Quartet.

The quartet brings gospel music and spiritual music from the Underground Railroad to life. In the Lifeline Quartet’s upcoming DSD release, Lifeline: Music of the Underground Railroad, they perform 12 spiritual songs including Down by The Riverside, Motherless Child, Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen and When The Saints Go Marching In.

To give you a taste of what is in store on this album, look (and listen) to this YouTube video of the quartet performing Wade In The Water. It’s a powerful track that demonstrates why this album has been much anticipated. It is available in DSD Stereo and DSD Multichannel, exclusively at NativeDSD, it really is something special!

Moreno Viglione, Renato Gattone, Augusto Creni – The Manouche Project

Next we have an album from the team at Forward Music Italy titled The Manouche Project. It features the trio of Moreno Viglione, Renato Gattone, and Augusto Creni.

NativeDSD listeners will recognize Renato Gattone as the producer and creator of the album Les Chats Noir (The Black Cats), a wonderful DSD Stereo recording that features the French Jazz Swing music. Les Chats Noir has been a listener favorite at NativeDSD for some time and was recently one of our first releases in Stereo DSD 512. (It sounds great in DSD 512, in case you haven’t heard it yet!)

For the new project, Moreno Viglione, Renato Gattone, and Augusto Creni are recording at Forward Music Studios in Italy using a Merging Technologies Hapi Analog to DSD Converter. The album is being recorded in native DSD 256 and promises to be a fine follow-up to Les Chats Noir. (It’s on my want list already, even though it’s still in the studio).

Introducing Merel Vercammen

The team at TRPTK is also In The DSD Studio these days. Their current project is an album titled Introducing Merel Vercammen. The album is due out in the Fall and will feature the violinist with soprano Bernadeta Astari and cellist Maya Fridman (who already has several DSD releases at the NativeDSD Music store)..

Recording for this album is happening at the Old St. Victor Church in Batenburg. The sessions will be TRPTK’s first recording using a full surround kit of top of the line DPA Microphones, paired with ultra-high-end custom microphone cables by Furutech going directly into a Merging Technologies HAPI converter.

TRPTK is also taking full advantage of this venue and setup. They have another session planned with Merel Vercammen and vibraphonist Vincent Houdijk. So, we have yet another DSD album from TRPTK on the way! What can I say, the DSD Studio activity is very busy these days.

Dana Zemtsov & Anna Fedorova – A La Francaise

To round things out, we have A La Francaise with Dana Zemstov and Anna Fedorova. This project at Channel Classics with Producer and Recording Engineer Jared Sacks featured a live recital in front of a small audience of 10 at MCO in Hilversum, The Netherlands.

The album will feature all French inspired music by non-French composers, except for the very beginning and very end of the album. The first piece is Milhaud’s Sonata No. 1 for Viola and Piano and the last piece is Fauré’s Après un Rêve. In between we find French inspired music by Enescu, Clarke, Werkman and Kugel. All performed by Zemstov on Viola and Fedorova on Piano. The album is due out in November 2019.

(update, this album is now available, see below Silhouettes)

In the meantime, Dana Zemtsov and Anna Fedorova have several DSD albums available at NativeDSD Music. You are invited to give them a listen during your next visit to the NativeDSD Music store.

Dana Zemstov at Native DSD Music

Anna Fedorova at Native DSD Music

The post In The DSD Studio! appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

Yuko Mabuchi Trio – A Tribute to Miles Davis

Last year Yarlung Records introduced Jazz fans to the debut album of the Yuko Mabuchi Trio. Recorded live in Stereo and Surround Sound DSD 256, the album quickly made its way to the # 1 Best Selling Album spot on the NativeDSD Music sales chart.

This spring, Yarlung invited Jazz fans to attend a live recording session for the trio’s next album – A Tribute to Miles Davis. (update, now released)

At the live concert and recording session, trio members Yuko Mabuchi (piano), Del Atkins (bass) and Bobby Breton (drums) were joined by Trumpeter J.J. Kirkpatrick as guest artist. (NativeDSD Music listeners will remember Kirkpatrick from his performances with the 4 Sophisticated Lady Quartet DSD 256 Stereo recordings on Yarlung – among the first DSD 256 releases on the market.)

To whet your appetite for this upcoming DSD 256 Stereo and DSD 256 Surround Sound album, Yarlung has released an 11-minute video of the trio with J.J. performing So What – a Miles Davis classic. You’ll want to give this a listen as we all anxiously await the release of the full album later this year!

John Babel – Drown EP

Next, we have a new group about to release their first album as part of the TRPTK Sessions series. TRPTK Sessions features new artists (like Gayle Skidmore) who record 3 songs in Stereo and in some cases Surround Sound DSD (up to DSD 256) and DXD.

John Babel is a new trio that TRPTK describes as “bringing you an eclectic sound of acoustic ballads mixed with an avalanche of dark synthesizers and orchestral compositions. The appeal of this is that it can go anywhere. Each song is unbound by convention while still retaining a distinct hopeful, yet solemn sound. John Babel consists of Merlijn-Jan Terpstra as the writer, singer and guitarist of the band, Elsa Groener as the keyboard player and sampler, and Nils Groener as the drummer.

Now, after more than a year of writing and rehearsing, John Babel is ready to release their first EP with TRPTK containing three songs of their brand new setlist.”

Check out this new video with music from the three-track Drown EP by John Babel. It is shaping up to be an interesting upcoming DSD release. (update: now released)

Vanessa Fernandez – I Want You (working title)

Another interesting project that is In The DSD Studio is Vanessa Fernandez’ third album from Groove Note. It has a working title of I Want You.

Fans of the Groove Note albums at NativeDSD Music will remember Fernandez for her tributes to ‘70s and ‘80s Soul Music (Use Me) and Led Zeppelin (When The Levee Breaks). For each of these Stereo DSD 256 releases, Groove Note teamed the singer with a group of the top studio musicians in the L.A. recording scene in a unique acoustic setting. (Both of these current DSD releases are not to be missed!) [update: released, see below]

Fernandez has returned to United Recording Studios in L.A. to record her third album. She says “Went to LA. Recorded 12 songs in 4 days. Worked with amazing peeps in awesome places. Can’t wait for this album to come out.”

While the album is still months away from release, she is so excited about this one that there is a video about the album on her Twitter feed. Including some song clips and visuals of Producer Ying Tan, Recording Engineer Michael C. Ross, Tim Pierce on guitar, Jeff Babco on keys (from the Jimmy Kimmel Live band), Alex Al on bass (Stevie Wonder, Sting, Michael Jackson, George Benson, and Mariah Carey), Luis Conte on percussion (James Taylor, Santana, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Shakira), Charlie Bisharat on violin (Shadowfax) and Victor Indrizzo on drums (Beck). Look – and listen – to hear what is coming from this fine artist. (Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” sounds like one of the tracks on this upcoming DSD release.)

Lots to look forward to. (And these are just 3 of the 61 Labels…)

Cover Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash

The post From the DSD Studio appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

It started in irvine, where a well known high end audio distributor Philip O’ Hanlon from On A Higher Note was demonstrating some top shelf audio equipment that his firm was distributing in the U.S. With a state of the art analog and DSD system at an audio show in Irvine, California, sitting in the audience was Ying Tan of Groove Note Records – and two rows behind him – Jared Sacks, Managing Director of NativeDSD Music.

O’ Hanlon spotted them, walked over to NativeDSD Technical Advisor Brian Moura and whispered, “Have Ying and Jared met?” Brian said, “I don’t think so” and Philip raised an eye brow, walked over to both and did a quick introduction in the hallway. Ying and Jared had an extended chat and discussed the possibility of adding Groove Note to the NativeDSD Music store in the future.

A DSD Demo in Germany

Fast forward to the High End Munich audio show in Germany. Jared was demonstrating some of his favorite DSD releases from the NativeDSD Music store in an audio demo room that had a system that included the Playback Designs Analog to DSD converter designed by DSD pioneer Andreas Koch.

At the back of the room in walked a new listener. It was Ying Tan. After listening to the fine DSD music a bit and smiling, he approached Native DSD’s marketing guru Floor van der Holst, introduced himself and said it was time for Groove Note to bring its catalog to NativeDSD. Floor contacted Jared and the process began.

Groove Note Joins NativeDSD

Today we’re pleased to announce the debut of Groove Note Records at NativeDSD. Groove Note features original Analog and DSD recordings in DSD Stereo and DSD Multichannel that feature Jazz, Blues, Vocal, Soul, Pop and Classical music. Each album features producers including Ying Tan and Joe Harley with engineering by Analog expert Michael C. Ross, mastering by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering and Dave Glasser at Airshow Mastering and performances by some of the top session musicians based in Los Angeles. Groove Note has offices in Hollywood and Singapore.

To start things off, we’ve selected 4 DSD releases from the Groove Note catalog. But rest assured, there are more to come. With this release, it will be the first time these albums are available as DSD music downloads outside the United States and Canada markets.

Jacintha brings her fine musical styling to this warm and refreshing album of bossa nova favorites. In Multichannel DSD you will hear the singer’s vocals in the center channel speaker as a clear as a bell. The album delivers a wonderful listening experience.

Singer Vanessa Fernandez brings us a unique tribute to the music of Led Zeppelin in this interpretation of the group’s songs in an acoustic setting. It’s an Analog recording with rich detail and extended low end. In preparing this one for DSD release, NativeDSD Mastering Engineer Tom Caulfield remarked “I’ve never heard a drum kit sound like it does on “Kashmir”. It’s like I’m standing right next to the kit.”

On the analog recording At Last, Jazz Vocalist Lauren White performs some classics including Blue Bayou, Mack The Knife, My Funny Valentine, Superstar and Love for Sale. Accompanying White are Anthony Wilson (from the Diana Krall Trio) on guitar, bass player Chuck Berghofer and pianist Bill Cunliffe. Michael P. Gladstone from All About Jazz reviewed the album and asks, “With the appetite-whetting At Last, the only question is: what’s next?”

Moving to the world of Classical Music, Groove Note brings us The Jung Trio. This album was recorded Live, Direct to 2-track on 30ips analog tape. Reviewers have called it “One of the best sounding chamber music recordings that we’ve ever heard!” Stereophile’ s Michael Fremer says, “It was an ear-opener: the violin, cello and piano were reproduced with an appropriately rich darkness, three dimensionality, transparency, and verisimilitude that had me thinking: Can it possibly sound any better?”

Visit The NativeDSD Music Store

We invite listeners to drop by the NativeDSD Music store and pick up some of these fine DSD releases from Groove Note. You will have some enjoyable musical moments ahead when you do.

The post Groove Note Records joins Native appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

DSD & Gelato

iFi has been a market leader and pioneer when it comes to high quality, low cost portable Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) that support DSD. Their products include the iDSD Nano which plays Stereo DSD 256 at a price of only $199. Since introducing the iDSD Nano, iFi also sells two more high quality portable DSD DACs – the iDAC 2 at $379 and the iDSD Micro at $499.

What you may not realize is that iFi has a program of updating their portable DACs on a regular basis.   This is done via downloadable software on the iFi web site that is available to iFi owners at no cost! No wonder their portable DSD DACs are so popular.

Now, what’s this about DSD & Gelato? Well, iFi’s software development team has a thing about dessert. Their last round of iFi software upgrades were code named “Vanilla”, “Strawberry” and Chocolate Chip – three flavors of ice cream. So it should be no surprise that the new Version 5.1 and 5.1B software upgrades were code named “Gelato”.

The big news is that Gelato (Versions 5.1, 5.1a or 5.1b depending on your model) is now available for download and installation. It brings these improvements to your iFi portable DAC:

• All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behavior of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section)
• Enables DSD256 for 48kHz based sample rates up-conversion when using DSD256 in DoP mode.
• Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD and other minor bug fixes.
• Minor updates/fixes

I encourage iFi DAC owners to visit the iFi web site, download the installation instructions and new Gelato drivers (Versions 5.1, 5.1a or 5.1b, depending on your model) and enjoy the new enhancements to your iFi DSD DAC. You will be glad you did.

DSD Database: New Features and Over 400 DSD DACs Listed!

One of the indispensable documents DSD fans use on a regular basis is the DSD Database. Located on the web at http://www.nativedsd.com/database, this database provides a comprehensive list of DSD DACs and Players, DSD Player Software, DSD Music Download Sites and DSD Guides and Search Tools.

In recent months, the DSD Database has been enhanced with new features as well as with added product and resources. Highlights include:

• Over 400 DSD DACs and Players are now listed
• Over 2,000 DSD Albums are available from 30 different DSD Music Stores
• DSD Music Sites now shows the number of albums available by DSD Data Rate (64, 128, 256) and by Stereo, Multichannel or Binaural DSD
• DSD Software now shows the computer platform(s) supported

Be sure to visit the DSD Database when you want to research what is available in the areas of DSD DACs, Players, Software, Download Sites, Search Engines and Guides. You will find it to be an invaluable way to expand your DSD system and music collection.

Tubes In The Trunk

The team at Lampizator in Poland is well known for their use of direct filtered tube-based playback of Stereo DSD 64, DSD 128 and DSD 256 on their DACs. At the top of the line sits the Golden Gate and Big 7 DACs – along with the more recently released Lite 7 DAC – which use Direct Heated Triodes (DHT) tubes which are normally found in Audio Amplifiers. The combination results in some very warm and rich sound from DSD music downloads that has received much acclaim from music reviewers.

Lampizator Managing Director Lukasz Fikas has announced that Emission Labs (EML), a small tube manufacturing plant based in the Czech Republic, and the creators of one of the most popular DHT Tubes (the EML 45), have produced a special limited edition DHT Tube – the Globe Edition EML 45 Mesh Tube. EML has only produced 100 of the Globe Edition tubes for use in the Lampizator DHT DACs and they are only available for purchase from Lampizator.

How do you get such a precious set of products from the EML plant in the Czech Republic to Lampizator headquarters in Poland? As you can see in the photo above, you load them into the trunk of Lukas Fikas car. According to Lukas, there is just enough room in his car’s trunk for exactly 100 Globe Edition tubes! A happy turn of events. The first boxes of Globe Edition tubes ship out to Lampizator owners on Monday, February 29^th.

A Little Wine with that DSD?

Last year, Native DSD teamed up with Andreas Koch to demonstrate DSD music from Native DSD with the DACs from Playback Designs. Since that time, Koch and the team at Playback Designs have been working on a new series of DSD converters and playback systems.

The new line of Playback Designs products comes out this Spring. Not surprisingly, Andreas has named the new products “the Sonoma Series” to reflect both the location of his development lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, near the Wine Country and the pioneering Sonoma DSD Workstation which he helped develop while on Sony’s SACD and DSD Project Team.

The Sonoma series will include the Merlot DAC – a Stereo DSD 256 converter ($6,500), the Syrah Server – a music server for a DSD system ($6,500), the Pinot ADC – an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) to convert analog sources like Vinyl LPs and Analog Tapes to DSD and the OpBox – which will enable owners of Oppo Disc Players to play SACDs through the DACs from Playback Designs ($1,850).

With all of this talk of wine, Koch also announced that buyers of his new Merlot DAC will also receive a bottle of Playback Designs Wine made for the company by Carhartt Vineyard in Los Olivos, California. So soon you will have the option of getting a little wine with that new DSD DAC from Playback Designs!

And for current Playback Designs DAC owners, Andreas promises some news in the coming months. Sounds like another upgrade is on the way. Just the thing to enjoy with some DSD music.

Back To The Music

That will do it for this edition of Brian’s Corner. I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the latest developments in the world of DSD. Be sure to put some of these wonderful DACs and DSD music files in your listening room soon. You will enjoy them!

For a nice place to start, try the new Stereo DSD edition of The Pink Panther & Friends on Fone. It’s a new DSD recording with Fone’s top Jazz stars performing the music of Henry Mancini and other Jazz standards. It’s available at the Native DSD Music store.

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