SACD Ripping Made Easy with Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor
Introduction
Super Audio CD (SACD) is a high-resolution audio format that was introduced in 1999 by Sony and Philips as a successor to the Compact Disc (CD) format. SACD uses a process called Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to encode audio data with a sampling rate of 2.8224 MHz, which is 64 times higher than that of CD. This results in a wider frequency response, higher dynamic range, and more detailed sound reproduction. SACD also supports multichannel audio, which can create a more immersive sound experience by simulating surround sound.
Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor
However, SACD has some limitations and challenges that prevent it from being widely adopted by the mainstream market. First, not all SACD discs are compatible with standard CD players. Some SACD discs are hybrid discs, which have two layers: a CD layer that can be played on any CD player, and a SACD layer that can only be played on an SACD player. Other SACD discs are single-layer or dual-layer discs, which can only be played on an SACD player. Second, ripping SACD discs to digital files is not easy. Unlike CD ripping, which can be done with any CD drive and software, SACD ripping requires special equipment and software that are not widely available or accessible. Third, playing the ripped files on other devices is not straightforward. The DSD format used by SACD is not supported by most media players and devices, and requires conversion or decoding to play on them.
Therefore, if you have a collection of SACD discs and want to enjoy their high-quality audio on your computer or other devices, you need a tool that can help you rip them and convert them to a more compatible format. One such tool is Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor, which is a software program that can extract the audio data from SACD discs and save them as DSD or PCM files on your computer. In this article, I will explain how to use Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor to rip SACD discs and enjoy the high-quality audio on your devices.
Requirements
What equipment and software do you need to rip SACD discs?
To rip SACD discs using Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor, you need the following equipment and software:
An SACD player that is compatible with the AutoScript method of rooting. This method allows you to gain root access to the player's firmware and enable raw read access over a network. The list of compatible players can be found here. Some examples are Sony BDP-S390, Sony BDP-S590, Sony BDP-S4100, Oppo BDP-103, Oppo BDP-105, etc.
A USB flash drive that is formatted as FAT16 or FAT32. You will use this drive to copy the AutoScript files to the player.
A computer that is connected to the same network as the player. You will use this computer to run Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor and save the ripped files.
The AutoScript files that are needed to root the player and enable raw read access over a network. You can download the AutoScript files from here.
The Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor software that can communicate with the player and extract the audio data. You can download the latest version of Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor from GitHub. You will get a ZIP file containing two files: sacd_extract.exe and sacd_extract.pkg. The sacd_extract.exe file is the main program that you will run on your computer. The sacd_extract.pkg file is not needed for this method.
How to prepare your SACD player and computer for ripping?
Before you start ripping, you need to do some preparation work on your SACD player and computer. Here are the steps:
Power on your SACD player and connect it to the same network as your computer. You can use a wired or wireless connection, but wired is recommended for better stability and speed.
Find out the IP address of your SACD player. You can do this by checking the network settings on the player's menu, or by using a network scanner tool on your computer. Note down the IP address for later use.
Enable the Quick Start mode on your SACD player. This mode will keep the player in standby mode and allow AutoScript to run faster. You can enable this mode by going to the settings menu and selecting System Settings > Quick Start Mode > On.
Copy the AutoScript folder to the root directory of your USB flash drive. The AutoScript folder should be the only folder on the drive. Do not rename or modify any files inside the folder.
Insert the USB flash drive into the port on the front panel of your SACD player. This should cause the disc tray to open automatically. If not, press the eject button to open it.
Insert your SACD disc into the tray, but do not close it. Make sure the disc is clean and free of scratches.
Power off your SACD player using the remote control or the power button. Do not close the disc tray manually. The player should close the tray automatically and enter sleep mode. The AutoScript will then run in the background and gain root access to the player's firmware.
Wait for about a minute until the player's display shows "OFF". This means that AutoScript has finished running and enabled raw read access over the network. You can now remove the USB flash drive from the port.
You have now prepared your SACD player for ripping. You can proceed to the next section to learn how to use Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor.
Ripping process
How to use Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor to extract audio data from SACD discs?
Now that you have prepared your SACD player and computer, you can start ripping your SACD discs using Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor. Here are the steps:
Run the sacd_extract.exe file on your computer. You will see a command-line window with some instructions and options.
Type in the following command: sacd_extract -i . Replace with the actual IP address that you noted down earlier. For example, if your SACD player's IP address is 192.168.1.100, then type in: sacd_extract -i 192.168.1.100
Press Enter to execute the command. The program will connect to your SACD player over the network and start extracting the audio data from the disc. You will see some information about the disc, such as title, artist, track list, and output format.
The program will create a folder named after the disc title in the same directory where you ran sacd_extract.exe. Inside this folder, you will find one or more files with .dsf or .iso extension, depending on the output format that you chose.
How to choose the output format and settings?
By default, Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor will extract audio data from SACD discs as DSD files with .dsf extension. DSD files are uncompressed and preserve all the information from the SACD disc. However, DSD files are not widely supported by most media players and devices, and may require conversion or decoding to play on them. If you want to convert the DSD files to PCM files with .wav or .flac extension, you can use the following options in the sacd_extract command:
-2: This option will convert the DSD files to 2-channel PCM files with 88.2 kHz sampling rate and 24-bit depth. This is suitable for stereo playback on most devices.
-m: This option will convert the DSD files to multichannel PCM files with 88.2 kHz sampling rate and 24-bit depth. This is suitable for surround sound playback on devices that support multichannel audio.
-c: This option will convert the DSD files to PCM files with custom sampling rate and bit depth. You can specify the sampling rate and bit depth after this option, separated by a colon. For example, -c 96:16 will convert the DSD files to PCM files with 96 kHz sampling rate and 16-bit depth.
-f: This option will convert the PCM files to FLAC files, which are compressed but lossless. This can save some storage space without compromising the audio quality.
You can also use the following options to change some other settings in the sacd_extract command:
-s: This option will extract the audio data as a single ISO file instead of multiple DSF or PCM files. An ISO file is an image file that contains all the information from the disc, including the metadata and the menu. However, an ISO file is not playable by most media players and devices, and requires mounting or splitting to access the audio data.
-e: This option will extract only a specific track or range of tracks from the disc. You can specify the track number or range after this option, separated by a colon. For example, -e 1:5 will extract only tracks 1 to 5 from the disc.
-p: This option will extract only a specific layer from a hybrid disc. You can specify the layer number after this option, either 0 for CD layer or 1 for SACD layer. For example, -p 1 will extract only the SACD layer from a hybrid disc.
You can combine multiple options in the sacd_extract command, as long as they are compatible with each other. For example, if you want to extract multichannel PCM files with custom sampling rate and bit depth and convert them to FLAC files, you can use this command: sacd_extract -i -m -c 96:16 -f
How to verify the quality and integrity of the ripped files?
After you have extracted the audio data from your SACD disc, you may want to verify that the ripped files are of good quality and integrity. There are several ways to do this:
Compare the size and duration of the ripped files with the original disc. The ripped files should have similar size and duration as the original disc, depending on the output format and settings that you chose. If there is a significant difference, it may indicate that some data was lost or corrupted during the extraction process.
Compare the checksum or hash value of the ripped files with a reliable source. A checksum or hash value is a unique identifier that is generated from a file's content. It can be used to verify that a file has not been altered or tampered with. You can use a tool like MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility to calculate and compare the checksum or hash value of your ripped files with a reliable source, such as PS3SACD.com or SA-CD.net. If there is a mismatch, it may indicate that some data was changed or damaged during the extraction process.
Listen to the ripped files on your computer or other devices. The most obvious way to verify the quality and integrity of your ripped files is to listen to them on your computer or other devices. You should be able to hear clear and detailed sound without any distortion, noise, or artifacts. If there is any problem with the sound quality, it may indicate that some data was degraded or corrupted during the extraction process. You can also compare the sound quality of the ripped files with the original disc or other sources to see if there is any difference.
By verifying the quality and integrity of your ripped files, you can ensure that you have successfully extracted the audio data from your SACD disc and preserved its high-resolution sound.
Playback options
How to play the ripped files on your computer or other devices?
Once you have ripped your SACD disc and verified the quality and integrity of the ripped files, you can play them on your computer or other devices. However, depending on the output format and settings that you chose, you may need different software or hardware to play them. Here are some playback options for different output formats:
DSD files: DSD files are uncompressed and preserve all the information from the SACD disc. However, DSD files are not widely supported by most media players and devices, and require conversion or decoding to play on them. To play DSD files on your computer, you need a software player that supports DSD playback, such as foobar2000, JRiver Media Center, or Audirvana. You also need a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that supports DSD decoding, such as iFi Nano iDSD, Chord Mojo, or Oppo HA-2SE. You can connect the DAC to your computer via USB and use it to convert the DSD signal to analog sound. To play DSD files on other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or portable music players, you need a device that supports DSD playback natively, such as Sony NW-ZX300, Astell&Kern AK70 MKII, or FiiO M11 Pro. You can transfer the DSD files to the device's internal or external storage and use its built-in player to play them.
PCM files: PCM files are converted from DSD files and can be compressed or uncompressed. PCM files are more compatible with most media players and devices, and do not require conversion or decoding to play on them. To play PCM files on your computer, you can use any software player that supports PCM playback, such as VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, or iTunes. You do not need a DAC that supports DSD decoding, but you may still benefit from using a high-quality DAC that supports PCM playback, such as AudioQuest DragonFly Red, Schiit Modi 3, or Topping D30. You can connect the DAC to your computer via USB and use it to convert the PCM signal to analog sound. To play PCM files on other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or portable music players, you can use any device that supports PCM playback natively. You can transfer the PCM files to the device's internal or external storage and use its built-in player or any third-party player to play them.
ISO files: ISO files are image files that contain all the information from the disc, including the metadata and the menu. ISO files are not playable by most media players and devices, and require mounting or splitting to access the audio data. To play ISO files on your computer, you need a software player that supports ISO playback, such as foobar2000, JRiver Media Center, or Audirvana. You also need a virtual drive software that can mount the ISO file as a virtual disc drive, such as Daemon Tools Lite, WinCDEmu, or Virtual CloneDrive. You can mount the ISO file using the virtual drive software and use the software player to play it. Alternatively, you can use a software tool that can split the ISO file into individual DSF or PCM files, such as ISO2DSD or sacd_extract.exe (with -s option). You can then play the DSF or PCM files using any software player that supports them. To play ISO files on other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or portable music players, you need a device that supports ISO playback natively, such as Sony NW-ZX300, Astell&Kern AK70 MKII, or FiiO M11 Pro. You can transfer the ISO file to the device's internal or external storage and use its built-in player to play it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of different playback methods?
Depending on the output format and playback method that you choose, you may experience different advantages and disadvantages in terms of sound quality, compatibility, and convenience. Here are some of them:
DSD files: DSD files offer the best sound quality, as they preserve all the information from the SACD disc without any conversion or compression. However, DSD files are not compatible with most media players and devices, and require special software and hardware to play them. DSD files are also large in size, which may take up more storage space and bandwidth.
PCM files: PCM files offer good sound quality, as they convert the DSD data to a more compatible format without losing much information. However, PCM files may still introduce some distortion or noise during the conversion process, depending on the sampling rate and bit depth that you choose. PCM files are also smaller in size than DSD files, which may save some storage space and bandwidth.
ISO files: ISO files offer the most convenience, as they contain all the information from the disc, including the metadata and the menu. However, ISO files are not playable by most media players and devices, and require mounting or splitting to access the audio data. ISO files are also the largest in size among all output formats, which may take up more storage space and bandwidth.
Therefore, you should choose the output format and playback method that best suit your preferences and needs. You can also experiment with different options and compare the results to find your optimal solution.
Conclusion
In this article, I have explained how to use Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor to rip SACD discs and enjoy the high-quality audio on your computer or other devices. I have also discussed the requirements, process, options, and verification methods for SACD ripping, as well as the playback options for different output formats. By following this guide, you should be able to rip your SACD discs easily and effectively.
However, SACD ripping is not a perfect science, and there may be some challenges or issues that you encounter along the way. Here are some tips and recommendations that may help you overcome them:
Make sure that your SACD player is compatible with the AutoScript method of rooting. If not, you may need to use a different method or a different player to rip SACD discs.
Make sure that your SACD player and computer are connected to the same network and have stable and fast connection. If not, you may experience errors or delays during the extraction process.
Make sure that your SACD disc is clean and free of scratches. If not, you may encounter read errors or poor sound quality during the extraction process.
Make sure that you verify the quality and integrity of your ripped files using various methods. If not, you may end up with corrupted or damaged files that affect your listening experience.
Make sure that you choose the output format and playback method that best suit your preferences and needs. If not, you may compromise your sound quality or compatibility with your media players and devices.
I hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback about Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor or SACD ripping in general, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
What is Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor?
Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor is a software tool that can extract the audio data from Super Audio CD (SACD) discs and save them as DSD or PCM files on your computer.
What is SACD?
SACD is a high-resolution audio format that uses Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to encode audio data with a sampling rate of 2.8224 MHz, which is 64 times higher than that of CD.
Why rip SACD discs?
Ripping SACD discs can allow you to enjoy their high-quality audio on your computer or other devices that do not support SACD playback natively.
How to rip SACD discs using Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor?
To rip SACD discs using Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor, you need an SACD player that is compatible with the AutoScript method of rooting, a USB flash drive that contains the AutoScript files, a computer that is connected to the same network as the player, and the Scarletbook-SACD-Extractor software. You then need to prepare your player and computer for ripping, and then use the sacd_extract command to extract the audio data from the disc.
How to play the ripped files on your computer or other devices?
To play the ripped files on your computer or other devices, you need different software or hardware depending on the output format that you chose. For DSD files, you need a software player that supports DSD playback and a DAC that supports DSD decoding. For PCM files, you can use any software player that supports P