I would not use your PS3 for SACD playback, as the DSD signal is downconverted to PCM audio. You'll get the best playback out of a standalone unit that is either sending the DSD signal direct to your pre/pro, or an analog signal to your pre/pro. Your pre/pro, if DSD capable will most likely bypass most of the DSP functions to preserve the DSD playback. If going analog, again, try to bypass your DSP. Most units will run their DSPs at 96k/24bit, some at 192k/24bit.
Here's an exerpt of another post I wrote...
Quote:
The human brain uses time to figure out where a sound is coming from. A sample rate of 48kHz is only able to reproduce a sample once every 48000th of a second, right? The human brain is able to discern timing differences smaller than that. The average person can detect the difference of about 15 microseconds, while some are able to discern 3-5 microseconds. A single 48k sample is 20.8 microseconds. Hmm... A single 96k sample is 10.4 microseconds. The appreciation of 96 kHz (or higher) audio, compared to 48 or 44.1 kHz audio, is a binaural (2-ear) phenomenon. If we plug one ear, it is unlikely that anyone would be able to distinguish a 96 kHz recording from a 48 kHz recording. The converse of this is that when listening with both ears, everyone can distinguish 96 kHz recordings from 48 kHz recordings, and everyone prefers the 96 kHz recordings. Going one step further, the reason they prefer the recordings is not because steady-state tones from 26 kHz to 48 kHz can be represented, but probably because some kind of time-domain resolution between the left and right ear signals is more accurately preserved at 96 kHz.
The lossless and PCM audio is able to reproduce the original high sample-rate audio. AC-3 DD and standard DTS is not.
I have taken hi-res audio that I have recorded, and made 48k, 44.1k, MP3 and AC-3 down-sampled conversions of it. Even my friends with 'lead' ears are able to tell the difference. True, they can't tell me what they are hearing, but they prefer the PCM over the MP3/AC-3, and prefer the hi-res over the PCM down-sampled versions.
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CD Redbook audio, at 44.1k/16bit was the best technology could do in the early 80's. And honestly, it's not that great when put up against 'good' analog(by good, I mean studio quality recorders and such), or the DVD-A and SACD formats. Even 2ch vs 2ch.
Peter M