Article: The Q Sessions, Straight From The Studio Pure PCM Recording Available On Qobuz

[Andy-HandyHifi]

Sounds so amazing.  Would like to know the actual ADC used here.  

 

I know that my favorite 'true PCM' recordings are the Reference Recordings series done on the discontinued venerable Pacific Microsonics Ladder ADC at 24 bit 176.4Khz.  

 

When we talk format wars DSD, PCM.. MQA, it really to MY ear comes down to the least amount of DSP and shifting between formats, sample rates, the multiplicity of filtering required for that, etc. etc is what makes the difference.  

 

I don't care if it is DSD or PCM, if its a great source recording, especially if its actually recorded on a 1 bit converter like the Grimm which is unfortunately only at 64fs, or a true 24 bit no Delta Sigma PCM converter like the Pacific Microsonics, then played back on a DAC with minimal processing in that same format as recorded (that is PCM on a ladder with no DSM, or DSD at 1 bit with no conversions at all be it filtering done in the unary code domain or filtering done in 2s complement PCM.. the only DSP being the final analog filter DAC) will sound the best.  

[Andy-HandyHifi]

3 hours ago, Rexp said:

Shame you just bought it, I would have given you my copy for free. 

HA.  I didn't buy the album.  I did listen to a few minutes of first track streaming and found the sound quality outstanding.  I have no actual opinion on the music per se.  Not enough listening time.  

 

Edit.  Going deeper in, on track 2 and 3 I do hear what could be described as a bit hard edgy or unnatural sounding in some spots.  Perhaps its a bit 'uneven'.  Certainly there are some outstanding moments from a SQ perspective.  

 

More listening needed to form an actual opinion rather than impressions.