Upsampling DACS: Take the Pepsi Challenge

Regarding "taking the Pepsi Challenge", I logged on to the Pepsi web site, and cannot find where they actually market a Upsampling DAC of any kind. Thinking Gthirteen confused Pepsi with Coca Cola, I visited Coke's site too....still no DAC's. Are you guys sure that these fine soft drink companies are into digital, or perhaps their "fizz" is all "0's" and no "1's".

Gmkane, I have been reading this thread since it began, and made no comments, as I really cannot contribute. I do have a question though. In the CURRENT state of high end, home (two channel) audio, does the ULTIMATE digital transport, D to A, etc., have a better chance of reproduction of music than the ULTIMATE analog system, assuming best L.P.'s as a source (most of us cannot access master tape!) Mind you, I am including NO cost limit in the question. If you want to include a $30K digital, OK. Be sure to remember the $30K turntables (and above) and the phono stages required to complete their process. I would very much like to hear your opinion on this. I confess, in advance, that my prejudice is for L.P., as I have gone to the limit with both formats, and essentially agree with one part of your comment, where you say we are 5 years away from getting digital "fixed." If I am wrong in the way I read your comments, I apologize in advance. You seem to be very knowledgeable in the field, so I am eager to hear what you have to say.

Gmkane. I appreciate your answer, I have copied and pasted the part of your statement that I ABSOLUTELY agree with: Suppose you have the best audio gear that money can buy - either analog or digital. I think analog offers the best state of the art at this point in time. Why? Analog is in its old age and is a very mature technology. Digital is in its infancy. As algorithms mature and newer hardware generations turn over, digital will eventually reach an even keel with analog in two to three years at the high end of equipment. But very quickly digital will surpass the vinyl recreation of what your brain perceives as a constant or unimpeded and fluid stream of information that we call music. I (as posted on other threads) would love to have CD offer what it has as strengths, and have what L.P. has as well. Since we cannot have both, we must each decide if it is worth the effort to obtain what either format (at it's limit) has over the other, and then press our system out to the limit of that technology. As I already stated, I have been to the limit with both formats, and made my choice. I am pleased to read your comments, and believe your opinions to be factual and informative. Thanks!

I am not Carl, and I do not disagree with your comments about LP. having a high frequency roll off. Perhaps it is the RIAA, or perhaps a flaw in the original design of the LP format (it is quite old). However, the roll off in the extreme highs is less of a problem to my ear than the brick wall filter in digital, and the additional problems with the digital format's phase response. There is no perfect format for the ultimate in home reproduction right now, and in the years to follow, perhaps digital will finally accomplish what was originally promised it would do (20 years ago). However, I have been listening to recorded music for all of those 20 years, and I pride myself in extracting all the performance from my system that can be had. And, as you said yourself, LP. is the superior format right now, so until things change, I am happy to enjoy my rather large collection of music and know that considering the state of things, I cannot do better.

I am not Carl, and I do not disagree with your comments about LP. having a high frequency roll off. Perhaps it is the RIAA, or perhaps a flaw in the original design of the LP format (it is quite old). However, the roll off in the extreme highs is less of a problem to my ear than the brick wall filter in digital, and the additional problems with the digital format's phase response. There is no perfect format for the ultimate in home reproduction right now, and in the years to follow, perhaps digital will finally accomplish what was originally promised it would do (20 years ago). However, I have been listening to recorded music for all of those 20 years, and I pride myself in extracting all the performance from my system that can be had. And, as you said yourself, LP. is the superior format right now, so until things change, I am happy to enjoy my rather large collection of music and know that considering the state of things, I cannot do better.