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DSF stores Direct Stream Digital audio — the encoding format used on Super Audio CDs (SACDs). Instead of the multi-bit PCM samples used by WAV and FLAC, DSD uses a single bit sampled at extremely high rates: 2.8 MHz (DSD64), 5.6 MHz (DSD128), or even 11.2 MHz (DSD256). The theory is that this 1-bit approach captures audio with a naturalness that PCM can't match.
The audiophile community is deeply divided on whether DSD actually sounds better than high-resolution PCM. Proponents swear by its analogue-like quality. Sceptics point out that most "DSD" releases are converted from PCM masters anyway. What's not debatable: DSD files are enormous. A DSD128 album easily exceeds 4 GB.
DSF files require a DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) that supports DSD playback — either native DSD or DoP (DSD over PCM). Foobar2000 with the SACD plugin, Audirvana, and Roon all handle DSF. For software that doesn't support DSD, convert to high-res FLAC (24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz) using tools like dBpoweramp.