Please explain this??

[jleon92f]

Hi,

I would like to know what this means.
From the Specs on a Marantz CD5001.

"Super Audio CD Grade 192kHz/24-bit Cirrus Logic CS4392 D/A Converter "

Thanks,
John.

 

[whoaru99]

It's essentially a sales and marketing description, including model number, of the DAC chip in the player. 192/24 describes the sampling rate (192kHz) and bit depth (24-bit). These are fairly common numbers these days. The newer rage seems to be starting up with 384kHz sampling.

Here is a fairly straighforward explaination of sampling and bit depth. Bear in mind that recording something at 192/24 and then playing it back the same is completely different than having 192/24 "upscaling" from a lower resolution source such as the 44.1/16-bit native format of redbook CD.

SACD is a different though inasmuch as the native format is a 1 bit DSD stream sampled much faster (2822.4kHz) than regular CD PCM stream. The Crystal DAC mentioned does support DSD stream.

 

[cwall99]

It looks like it's describing an SACD player's DAC.

But it looks like it's encoding to 24-bit PCM rather than using 1-bit DSD prior to conversion to analog.

I'm sure there are keener minds than mine out there who can give a better (more technically correct) answer than I can.

 

[whoaru99]

That DAC does support DSD. Whether or not it's being used that way may be another matter.

 

[jleon92f]

Thanks, looks like I have to do some reading. Interesting stuff.

Thanks,
John.

 

[12J5]

jleon92f,
Don't think this will add much to the discussion but my CD5001, purchased in February 2008, references the featured CS4392 Cirrus Logic D/A converter and also states that it is only suitable for play back of CD, CD-R/RW Discs and also features CD Text compatibility. In any event, I am pleased with the performance and sound reproduction of my CD5001 and do not regret the purchase.

 

[jleon92f]

jleon92f,
Don't think this will add much to the discussion but my CD5001, purchased in February 2008, references the featured CS4392 Cirrus Logic D/A converter and also states that it is only suitable for play back of CD, CD-R/RW Discs and also features CD Text compatibility. In any event, I am pleased with the performance and sound reproduction of my CD5001 and do not regret the purchase.

Thank you, so it will not play the SACD or super cd's..I am also very happy with the sound. I use it more than my AZUR 340c.
Happy Labor day!

Thanks,
John.

 

[cwall99]

Of course, if you know someone who has some SACDs, you could always borrow one and give it a whirl. The best thing to do (probably) would be to avoid borrowing a hybrid SACD as they also have a CD layer. Find a pure SACD and see if it will play.

And then, if it supports multi-channel, you can hear some pretty awesome recordings re-mixed for surround sound. DSOTM works really well mixed that way. As does Ziggy Startdust.