DSD vs PCM, and what happens to DSD on a phone

PCM

PCM represents the signal with samples at a chosen sample rate and bit depth. CD audio uses 44,100 samples per second and 16 bits per sample per channel; other PCM formats use other rates and depths. FLAC and ALAC can compress PCM losslessly, while WAV and AIFF commonly store it without compression.

DSD

DSD uses a high-rate one-bit stream. DSD64 runs at 2.8224 MHz; DSD128 and DSD256 use higher multiples. In pulse-density terms, the proportion of ones and zeros relates to the signal after appropriate filtering. A bit is not simply an instruction to move the waveform up or down. Noise shaping and playback filtering are important parts of the system.

What your DAC does with it

The internal processing of a DAC depends on its architecture and mode. Do not assume that every DAC handles PCM and DSD identically, or that a “native DSD” label proves an audible improvement. Check the manufacturer’s signal-path documentation for the model in use.

Native DSD and DoP

To get DSD to a DAC untouched, a player sends it natively (a DSD format the USB driver supports) or as DoP, DSD packed inside PCM frames that a DoP-aware DAC unpacks. Both need specific DAC and driver support.

What MP95 does

MP95 decodes supported DSF and DFF files to PCM for its playback path. It does not advertise native DSD or DoP output here. The conversion and output rate depend on the implementation and output route; check the current app’s source and output information rather than treating the DSD source rate as a DAC transport rate.

Why DSD recordings often sound good

A carefully recorded and mastered release can sound good in DSD or PCM. Different editions may use different masters, so comparing their format labels alone cannot isolate the cause of a difference. Choose the recording and edition you want before paying for a higher rate.