Decaud is a free music player for Mac, iPhone and iPad that opens DSF and DFF files directly, with no conversion or hybrid files needed. On Mac, the Direct edition can send native DSD to a compatible USB DAC, and its Audio Path window shows exactly how each track reaches your DAC.
This guide covers Decaud 1.5.2. Start with free recordings supplied by NativeDSD, then follow the audio path from the file to your DAC.
Start with the free NativeDSD Starter Pack
Decaud includes the NativeDSD Starter Pack: seven complimentary DSD64 tracks that download directly into the app from NativeDSD. You don’t need a NativeDSD account or an order, and there is nothing to unzip or import. The pack includes a spoken introduction by NativeDSD co-founder Jonas Sacks and six musical selections, so you can hear DSD before you own a single album.
On Home, open NativeDSD Starter Pack. Download a track using its download button, then press Play. Download All retrieves the remaining tracks. The files stay on your Mac for offline listening.
Choose your Mac edition
For native DSD via DoP (DSD over PCM), use the Direct Mac edition from decaud.io and a compatible USB DAC. The Mac App Store edition and built-in speakers use PCM conversion. Both Mac editions open DSF and DFF files directly. Decaud is free to download.
Figure 1. Decaud 1.5.2 playing “Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds” from the NativeDSD Starter Pack. Now Playing shows DSD64 and native DSD over DoP to the Topping DX5 II. Captured on 5 October 2026.
Import music and configure your DAC
Add your own NativeDSD downloads
Download your album with the NativeDSD Downloader, or as a ZIP archive from your account. If you downloaded a ZIP, extract it in Finder.
Choose File > Import… in Decaud. Select the album folder or individual DSF or DFF files, then click Add.
Open Albums or Songs and start playback. You can also use File > Open Audio File… for a single file. There is no need to create hybrid files or convert the collection before importing it.
Set up native DSD on Direct Mac
Use macOS 15.6 or later and a DAC whose USB connection supports DoP on Mac at the rate you intend to play. A Windows DSD specification alone does not establish Mac DoP support.
Connect the DAC over USB and select its USB input. Start with a low listening level on the DAC or amplifier.
Open Decaud > Settings… > Audio Output. In Device, select the DAC by name. System Default uses shared output.
Enable Exclusive mode, then Native DSD (DoP) on this DAC. Enable DoP only if the DAC explicitly supports it. A PCM-only DAC can interpret DoP as loud noise; leave it off if you are unsure.
Start with a DSD64 Starter Pack track. Set listening volume on the DAC or amplifier, and inspect Audio Path while the track plays.
Understand the carrier rate
DoP carries DSD data inside PCM frames. A 176.4 kHz carrier for DSD64 is transport packaging, not DSD-to-PCM conversion. DSD128 needs 352.8 kHz and DSD256 needs 705.6 kHz. The DAC must support DoP at that rate, not just accept PCM at that rate.
Direct Mac supports native output up to DSD256 when the DAC and its macOS USB interface support it. DSD512 files play through PCM conversion, so if you want native DSD playback in Decaud, choose DSD256 or lower when you order. Software EQ and other PCM processing do not alter a DSD passthrough stream.
Other editions and devices
Mac App Store: DSD plays through PCM conversion; Direct Mac output controls do not apply.
iPhone and iPad: native DSD over USB is opt-in under Settings > Audio Output and requires a USB DAC the listener confirms supports DoP. Keep the device volume at 100% and control listening volume on the DAC. Otherwise, leave native output off for PCM playback.
Apple TV: uses its shared system output and does not provide the Direct Mac USB-DAC or DoP route.
This guide’s setup steps and screenshots are for Direct Mac.
Read the Audio Path
While music plays, choose Window > Audio Path. Check the source, transport and output device. The source’s DSD64 badge identifies the file format; the output path tells you how it is being played.
Figure 2. Decaud 1.5.2 reports a DSD64 DSF source, Native DSD passthrough (DoP), and exclusive output to the Topping DX5 II with a 176.4 kHz carrier. Captured during Starter Pack playback on 5 October 2026. This documents the displayed route on this setup.
In this example, the 2.82 MHz figure is the DSD64 source rate and 176.4 kHz is the DoP carrier. A converted route instead identifies DSD-to-PCM conversion. The app’s “Bit-perfect” label describes its reported playback path, not the recording’s production history.
If playback uses PCM or does not start
Confirm that you are using Direct Mac, have selected the DAC by name, and have enabled Exclusive mode and DoP for that DAC. Check its Mac DoP rate limit and try DSD64. Close another audio app if it has exclusive control of the device. Built-in speakers and wireless output are not a USB DoP route.
If playback produces noise, stop it and turn DoP off before checking the DAC’s compatibility and input. PCM conversion remains a listening option and does not rewrite your DSF or DFF file.
For help, use Decaud support. Include your Mac, macOS and Decaud versions, DAC model, file format and rate, plus an Audio Path screenshot. Edition details: decaud.io/edition.