theoretically, real DSD records should exist i.e. records without editing like Pope music label, which used two B&K mics, ADC and HD recorder or so, even no compressor or reverberators/mixers, nothing. However, I know only that label(BTW RIP) no one others go so extreme, and it was PCM 16/44.1. If somebody knows the same but in DSD, please give me the link, it should be worth to try.
I
think (not positive) that Morten at 2L offers pure DSD recordings. Signal path DPA (etc) mics to Millennia mic preamps to DAD DSD conversion. They've won many Grammys for engineering / production, especially 5.1 work.
Is DSD better than PCM? No conclusive evidence. In some blind A/B tests DSD comes out with slight advantage. Other blind tests, PCM is better. And sometimes no difference. I call it a statistical wash. I have pro industry friends working with DSD, so more power to them. It's all good.
Is DSD worth the trouble? For me, no. And, like you imply, in virtually all deliveries, DSD will be converted to PCM. This is especially true inside of today's DAC ICs -- as far as I know,
all DAC IC's convert at least a portion of DSD to PCM before the modulator. There are only a handful of
discrete DSD DACs that fully convert the raw DSD, and many of those units have inferior specifications (PS Audio Stream, etc.).
To date, I think the best performing discrete DSD DAC solution is my friend Bruno's "Mola Mola." By the way, IVX, I just ordered one of your headphone amps. Also waiting for a reply over on the DIY forum. Tks.