Is the Philips DVD963SA a true DSD machine?

[Polkfan]

With all of the discussion about universal players not being true DSD machines (ie converting DSD to PCM before analogue) can anyone here tell me if the Philips DVD963SA SACD player is a true DSD machine? I think it is, but it is very hard to glean such information off of the net.

 

[Rycher]

 

[Polkfan]

Thanks for looking. I have done that as well with little success. I own the unit in question and was wondering about the issue since there has been so much discussion concerning the newer Pioneer universal players. There was one little snippet of info I found online that says if the bass management is turned of on the 963SA then it becomes a true DSD system. But I wanted to see if anyone here could lend some more support.


EDIT:

I looked at the 963SA manual, and for SACD it says fs 2.8224 MHz DC-100 kHz. So it sounds like it has a DSD chip onboard at least.

Also, it says that the SACD standard is to use analogue 5.1 (or 6.1) output and not PCM. When the 963SA plays an SACD it does not send out signal PCM regardless of whether or not bass management is on. My Onkyo indicates whether or not PCM is being used, and this light turns off during SACD playback. That sounds like true DSD to me I think.

 

[Polkfan]

Although I guess the real question is whether or not the player converts the DSD to PCM before the analogue conversion? Does anyone know the answer?

 

[Polkfan]

Although I guess the real question is whether or not the player converts the DSD to PCM before the analogue conversion? Does anyone know the answer?

From what I have been able to learn off of the net, this player seems to be a true DSD machine. If any of you can offer more info in this area, please do. It does a bang up job on SACD.

 

[furrycute]

This model has reliability issues.

 

[Polkfan]

This model has reliability issues.

It has been claimed that some do. But that is beside the point. What do you know about its SACD playback?

 

[keenan]

Although I guess the real question is whether or not the player converts the DSD to PCM before the analogue conversion? Does anyone know the answer?

I think it would have to be, unless the Onkyo has a DSD DAC in it. If the players output is not connected to the receiver digitaly then the analog output is PCM coverted to analog, I think..