AYRE DX-5DSD - Manual (Page 85)

Nearly all systems will achieve higher sound
quality with this selection set to “DSD”. The only
time to select “PCM” is if you wish to listen to
SACDs in multi-channel while using a
surround-sound processor that is new enough to
have an HDMI input for audio but old enough
that it does not support DSD.
HDCD Decoding
There are four audio outputs on the Ayre DX-5 DSD ;
the Analog Audio Outputs and the HDMI Audio
Output, which are the main outputs, and the HDMI
A/V Output and the Digital Audio Output, which
are secondary outputs only to be used if your system
is not equipped to connect with the main outputs.
When “HDCD Decoding” is set to “On”, the signal
for the main outputs (Analog Audio and HDMI
Audio) will be decoded inside the DX-5
DSD
. The
behavior of the secondary outputs (HDMI A/V and
Digital Audio) depends on the setting for each
respective output (“HDMI Audio” and
“Coaxial/Optical Output”). When set to “LPCM”
that output will present a decoded signal, but when
set to “Bitstream” that output will present the
undecoded signal that requires HDCD decoding by
the downstream device. When the decoding is “Off”
the undecoded data will be sent to all four outputs
regardless of any other setting.
It is strongly recommended to set the “HDCD
Decoding” to “On”, as this is the only way that
the Analog Audio Outputs can decode an HDCD
disc properly.
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