Dac recommendations

[PaulX101]

Hi, Im looking to buy a Dac but am unsure what to buy & if I really need one. I have many many hi res recordings & DSD recordings & I stream them through a Pioneer VSX 924 but the DSD files are always converted to PCM, If I put a SACD disc in, the pioneer outputs DSD, I have tried burning the DSD files to a DVD but it still converts them to PCM. This has been puzzling me for some time now and i have given up trying to fathom it out.

Will a dedicated Dac allow the pioneer to output DSD files without coverting to PCM. If so any recomendations, I was told when I puchased the amp that it had a pretty good Dac, an ess sabre premium, so obviously i would prefer one better than what I currently have in the amp but I am on a fairly tight budget.

I have just ordered an Astell & Kern jr hi res music player which is also a Dac apparantly, how good is the dac in that,

 

[jimmy1]

Check the audio settings in the menu of both components, my sony blu ray player was only outputting pcm but i changed it in the sound menu to dsd direct output

 

[cheeseboy]

i wouldn't worry too much. There are very few actual DSD recordings. Most DSD material is just converted from PCM anyways.

 

[woodbino]

They will all sound the same anyway.

You know there is little to no difference between DACs. There was a really good abx test between various DACs ranging from a realtek from a computer motherboard to some £10000 monstrosity. No one could tell one from another.

I know I will get burnt at the stake for saying this.

 

[CnoEvil]

I know I will get burnt at the stake for saying this.

You won't from me, even thoght I disagree.

My advice to the OP, is never buy with somebody else's ears....so try some altenatives. Chord seems to get a lot of love.