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[terrys999]

Could anyone explain
Which is better when converting dsd to pcm flac.
176 or 88.2?

Would 176 cause problems?

[TheShoe]

don't know which is better but for me by default jriver transcodes mine to 192

i leave it alone and it sounds perfect to my ears

[dtc]

I believe MC converts DSD to PCM at 1/8 the original sample rate. So, 1x DSD (2.8 MHz) goes to 352 KHz PCM. That is simply a manifestation of the software decoder they use, not a statement about sound quality. If you want something below that, you need to downsample the result.

If you just go by the number of bits, 2.822 MHz/24 gives you 118 KHz/ 24 bit PCM - which is between 88 and 176. When SACDs were "popular" the record companies would often put out an 88 KHz/24 bit version and many hi rez downloads are still at 88 KHz because they came for SACDs. That said, playback of 176 KHz was not very common in those days.

I would suggest trying some and listening to the result. I doubt you can hear the difference, but disk space is cheap these days so 176 KHz may be a good option.

Also, check out the discussion of low pass filter options here

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,110496.0.html

[Fitzcaraldo215]

There is no right answer, assuming your DAC could do either.  So, if you are looking to us to tell you, you would be foolish to do so. 

I personally prefer to use 176k, but there was a period of time when 88k "sounded better" I thought. The point is, the difference is at best small to non-existent, and ultimately it us up to you, not anyone else.  Listen and decide.