Pure DSD DAC - Reviews and Experiences from Diyaudio.com Forum

The Pure DSD DAC is a collaborative creation by Quang Hao and Andrea Ciuffoli, delivering a more natural and detailed sound experience, distinct from traditional chip-based or R2R DACs. Its unique design ensures all PCM input signals are converted to DSD512. After conversion, the DAC uses a simple filter to generate analog signals, preserving the purity and natural characteristics of the audio. For input signals already in DSD format, Pure DSD DAC avoids further conversion since DSD inherently represents an analog signal. However, it employs a noise-reduction filter to maintain maximum clarity and finesse. Below is a summary of reviews from diyaudio.com members regarding the Pure DSD DAC:

1. myfavoritething

• Software Feedback: The DAC can save volume levels but resets to 40% upon restart, failing to retain the last volume setting.
• Audio Performance: After 12 hours of use, the Pure DSD DAC offers exceptional sound quality, especially when configured to cut at 70kHz. The sound is vibrant, with a wide soundstage, and reproduces musical spaces authentically. He described the experience as unparalleled, akin to attending a live concert.

2. danny_66

• System Setup: Paired with Foobar, Fidilizer, F5, and RefSpeakers.
• Audio Assessment: The Pure DSD DAC reveals intricate details down to vibrations and instrument resonances, creating a vivid and immersive experience. The audio is authentic and addictive, enhancing the depth of the listening experience.

3. sipo75

• Configuration and Feedback: Using the unbalanced port with plans to replace the toroidal transformer with an R-Core transformer. The DAC is sensitive to power sources, momentarily losing signal when the bathroom light is turned on.
• Sound Improvement: The Pure DSD DAC delivers profound audio depth, with a particularly clear and detailed bass range compared to the Musical Fidelity V-DAC II.

4. kgkim (David Kim)

• System Enhancements: Added components like an I/V output stage, input transformer, buffer, and output transformer.
• Audio Quality: The upgrades enhanced naturalness, resulting in softer and more realistic sound. David Kim expressed great satisfaction with Quang Hao and Andrea's Pure DSD DAC project.

5. TarnishedEars

• Bass and Soundstage: The bass is rated as the best on his system, with a broad and lively soundstage.
• Voltage vs. Current Mode: In voltage output mode, the sound becomes more engaging, emotionally connecting with the music. The bass impact and resonance are particularly notable, such as the vividness of drum beats.

Conclusion

The Pure DSD DAC has proven to be a standout device in the digital audio realm, offering natural and emotionally rich sound quality that traditional chip-based or R2R DACs often struggle to match. Its design focuses on pure DSD signal processing, converting all PCM signals to DSD512 to preserve the analog essence of the audio. For DSD signals, no further conversion occurs, with only light noise reduction filtering to maintain optimal clarity.

The Pure DSD DAC not only reproduces sound with high detail but also delivers exceptional clarity, smoothness, and emotional resonance. Its most notable differences from conventional DACs lie in the deep bass range and expansive soundstage, creating an experience akin to attending a live performance at home. Members of diyaudio.com are particularly impressed by its ability to evoke deep emotional connections with music, immersing listeners in a realistic and captivating audio space.

The Pure DSD DAC is an excellent choice for audiophiles seeking genuine sound quality and aiming to reach the pinnacle of audio performance without the limitations of traditional DAC structures. It’s a perfect investment for those desiring a pure, smooth, and emotionally engaging digital music experience in their audio systems.