How to open a .dsf file (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Q: Why can't I open my .dsf file?

Usually your computer lacks an app that understands DSF. Install one of the apps listed here, or convert the file to a more common format.

A .dsf file is a DSD Stream File. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads DSF yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.

Open a .dsf file step by step

Confirm the file really is a .dsf. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
On Windows, open it with foobar2000 or Audirvana.
On Mac, use Audirvana or Colibri.
On Linux, try MPD (DSD support) or DeaDBeeF.
Still stuck? Convert the .dsf to flac, which opens more widely.

Best apps to open .dsf files

Windows

foobar2000
Audirvana
JRiver Media Center

macOS

Audirvana
Colibri
VLC (PCM conversion)

Linux

MPD (DSD support)
DeaDBeeF
VLC

Before you open it: Safe. A .dsf file is audio data with tags; it does not execute.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I open my .dsf file?

Almost always because no installed app understands DSF. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.

How do I play a .dsf file?

Use a player with DSD support such as foobar2000 or Audirvana. With a DSD-capable DAC you get native playback; without one the player converts to PCM, which still sounds fine.

What is the difference between .dsf and .dff?

Both carry DSD audio. DSF (Sony) supports ID3 metadata tags, which music libraries need; DFF (Philips) is more common in studio interchange and lacks standard tagging.