High Resolution Audio: DSD vs PCM
Currently, there are two methods of storing high-resolution digital audio - DSD and PCM. The PCM format has been known for a long time and is used everywhere - CD Audio, DVD Audio, MP3. DSD technology was developed later, by Sony and Philips and used in Super Audio CD and for DSF files. Despite the fact that SACD is not widely used in the consumer market, high-resolution audio has breathed new life into the DSD format. In articles, devoted to the DSD format, many advantages over PCM are described, but most of them are marketing hype. Is DSD better than PCM in real life?
1 Superior sound quality
DSD64, or SACD, has higher resolution than a 16-bit 44KHz Audio CD, roughly the same resolution as 24-bit 96KHz PCM recording, and not as much resolution as a 24-bit 192KHz PCM recording. The quality of the recording plays a far more significant role than the format or resolution.
2 Audio Processing
Since DSD is a one-bit format it is literally impossible to perform any editing. There is no audio editor that support DSD format. All audio editing software, like WaveCut Audio Editor can process Hi-Res audio only in PCM format. Hence the conclusion is that there are no pure DSD records. Most of the available DSD records have been converted from the PCM format.
Conclusion
So, what to choose DSD or PCM? There is no unambiguous answer, since the characteristics of these formats are better than those of the equipment on which these formats will be played. When evaluating the sound quality of different formats of high definition, subjective sensations come to the fore, and therefore choose what you personally like.