I've successfully followed these steps to get DSD (.dsf filetype) and SACD (.iso filetype) playing at high bit rate using foobar2000 on my S.M.S.L M500 DAC.
DSD stands for Direct Stream Digital and it is a high-definition lossless audio format with a twist. PCM signal solutions (like FLAC, TTA or APE) measure a set of bits multiple times per second to capture the audio data, hence the 16/24-bit parameter. On the other hand, DSD uses only one bit but samples it 2.8 million times a second to capture the audio signal.
Download and extract foo_out_asio - ASIO Output
Install the asio component:
- Preferences > Components
- Click Install.
- Select the component archive foo_out_asio.fb2k-component
- Click OK.
Set the asio component as the output device:
- Preferences > Playback > Output
- Device: ASIO : USB DAC ASIO
Set ASIO preferences:
- Preferences > Playback > Output > ASIO
- Select USB DAC ASIO
- Use 64-bit ASIO drivers
- Click Apply.
Download and extract foo_input_sacd - Super Audio CD Decoder. This decoder is capable of playing back Super Audio CD ISO images, DSDIFF, DSF and DSD WavPack files.
Install DSD SACD component:
- Preferences > Components
- Click Install.
- Select the component archive foo_input_sacd.fb2k-component and foo_dsd_processor.fb2k-component
- Click OK.
If your DAC supports DSD-over-PCM (DoP) through ASIO/WASAPI/DS driver you can set up DSD playback:
- Open Preferences >Tools > SACD
- Select "DSD" for "Type" in "Output (per device)" section.
- Editable Tags
If your DAC doesn't support multichannel playback use "Downmix channels to stereo" DSP
- Playback > DSP Manager > Downmix channels to stereo, click "+"
Then open *.ISO image file for playback.
To playback SACD-R/RW discs create the new playlist, insert disc into DVD drive and drag-n-drop DVD drive letter (root folder) on the created playlist. Or, if UDF file system exists on SACD-R/RW, open MASTER1.TOC file.
If playback is in DSD mode you should get sample rates 2.8224 MHz, 5.6448 MHz, etc. and silence on VU Meter.
- For WavPack playback in DSD mode move "Super Audio CD Decoder" higher than "foobar2000 WavPack Decoder" on Preferences > Playback > Decoding page.
- To produce DoPed PCMs check "DoP for Converter".
- When needed adjust output volume and sample rate
- If your DAC doesn't support DSD source sample rate use DSP Processor plugin
- Preferences > Tools > SACD. DSD Processor: Choose "DSD Processor"
- Preferences > Tools > DSD Processor. Check "Use DSD Processor", and set up mappings.
- For PCM playback it is possible to use custom FIR filters. Some filter samples are in filters subfolder.