Upsampling DACS: Take the Pepsi Challenge

I really don't have much to add, except to say that I too am curious about the sonic benifits (if any) of upsampling technology. I will make several observatons, however: Observation #1-A few years ago, many high end companies were crying (in writing to the audio press) that the sales of CD players were droping off because the press was spending too much time talking about the "new" audio formats "soon" to be released, and that the press was discouraging people from investing in newer CD playback units. But now, thanks to upsampling, 24/96, and all that jazz, we're all talking about CD players again. Just a coincidence? Maybe upsampling is "better", but maybe it's just marketing hype. I plan to find out for myself one day. Anyway, on to observaton #2- some people on this site need to lighten up! Remember, this is a HOBBY; it is supposed to be FUN! All the frustration and name calling I see in this discussion group can be a real drag. And the truth of the matter is this. No matter what you buy, no matter how much you spend, no matter how much new technology improves sound quality, no matter how superior your technical understanding is, and no matter how much more "analog" someting sounds---NOTHING WILL EVER SOUND LIKE REAL MUSIC! (the truth hurts, don't it?)----Right now the kid across the street from me is playing (smashing) the drums. I know for damm sure that racket I'm hearing it is not a home stereo. How can that be? Without soundstage depth, height, imaging, tonal balance, acoustical treatments, etc...I can easily tell the difference between live music and recorded music. BTY, I'm a professional jazz musician. I play 3-6 nights a week, 52 weeks a year, all around the world, with some of the greatest musicians alive. I have a stereo system with a retail value of over $15,000. And it never once fooled me. Maybe we need to upsamle our personalities: some of us have lost the ability to have fun:) Keep it real, and in perspective.

For anyone interested, please see my 8/6 post under "what the heck is resoluion audio"....I'm tired of writing the same thing over and over again with regards to Carl.

I know this thread has gotton way off base, and is now a bit out of control. I suppose I'm as much to blame for this as anyone, so I apoligize, especially if I offended any readers. I have no doubt that most of us are passionate listeners and lovers of fine recorded (and live) music. If you read my previous post carefully, I specifically state that this new technology (upsampling) might in fact be better. And I also state that I plan to find out for myself one day. I'm not down on upsampling or any new development in the audio world. I just think we (myself included) can get carried away with the gear and audiophile thing. Home music reproduction has gotton so good, that most of these (or any) new developments are MINUTIA. True, many years of minutia will add up to a worthwhile improvement in sound. And maybe upsampling is the culmination of many years of 16/44 research. But has anyone checked out SACD? I had a player and 30 or so titles for about 2 months. Was the wait worth the hype? NOT AT ALL! Yes, it is in some ways a step forward, but not a HUGE step closer to musical (read emotional)truth, at least not IMHO. If we call ourselves CAREFUL listeners, I hope we mean carefully listening to the MUSIC. Not the wires, speakers, upsamplers, etc. In the end, we should just forget all this and enjoy ourselves, which I'm sure most of us do, most of the time. Anyway, my crack about forgetting how to have fun (again, read my previous post) was really NOT aimed at the listeners, it was meant to be aimed at the name calling, frustrated replies, and snide remarks found in many of these threads; and it's usually the same handful of culprits who seem to do it. Anyway, someone should have the right to ask a question without having to worry about getting beat up for asking it. And if it is explained to them and they still do not get it, either patiently try again, or let it go. Why respond with insults? Anyway, I'm sure I'll get bashed for this thread, and in some way my point will be proven. I hope however, that I am proven wrong. Nuf' said.

WOW! Lets get back to the topic(s). I too am very curious about the latest developments in DAC technologies. Carl, maybe it would help us layman if you could explain upsampling using an analogy (like when math teachers use a pie to help students visualize the concept of division)... it might seem silly but it would help get us out of the abstract world and into the physical world where things are easier to understand. You would be doing us all a great service if you could find a way to clarify this once and for all. Anyway, I do have a friend coming over this weekend with the Bel Canto DAC1, so I might have some more to say about that product early next week.

Carl, that was very helpful.Thank you for taking the time to offer such a clear summary. I'll get back to you all after I hear the Bel Canto DAC1 next week.

Thanks Onhwy61, but no apolpgy necessary from Carl. His remarks were so outrageous that I just had to laugh. I guess I did get SOME retribution: it seems us "less curious" types are not as easily swayed by what in the end is MARKETING HYPE! (see my post on 7/31) And this from Carl's FAVORITE digital guy, Jeff Kalt @ Resolution Audio! BTW Carl, kudos to you for sticking to your guns: I've seen on another thread ("What is Resolution Audio") that you even DISAGREE with MR. KALT on this topic of upsampling! Seriously though, we must all remember one thing, and this just might come to aid Carl's position in this matter (is that ironic or what)....Just because we have no rational explaination for how or why something affects sound reproduction, that does not mean it has no real effect; especially if "skilled" listeners hear a difference. Our brains seem to be able to perceive HUGE differences in sound quality where none exist on the test bench or in the designers lab. So maybe upsampling falls into this catagory; it can't be justified from a technical point of view, but it still somehow improves our perception of the quality of reproduced sound. But I do think Jeff Kalt made a valid point in his e-mail to Greysquirrel: different is not always better, or more accurate. And thanks Greysquirrel: this has been one of the most heated thread topics I can remember!

Carl, I think you missed the point about the apology thing. None of us doubt your views on audio, and although we all might not agree with each other all of the time, well, that only makes things more interesting. And yes, you are very rational AND knowledgeable, at least when it comes to this audio hobby. When it comes to women, well that is another story. And I believe it was your remarks about WOMEN that Onhwy61 was refering to when he said I deserved an apology; nothing to do with audio at all. But keep defending your view point(s), and if you read between the lines, you'll see that most of us are on the same page as you.

Carl, what are you talking about? My name is Deborah, and my husbands name is Robert. We are both professional musicans who reside in NY. My husband and I share many of the same viewpoints, and sometimes we even share this audiogon accout, but I assure you, these thoughts are my own. My husband has enjoyed all this very much however, and he especially enjoyed the post from Skohli on 8/3. It had him laughing for days. Chow!

Yep Garfish, it's all in good fun. I'm glad someone finally caught on. I find allot of the stuff on these threads "chow" for thought. And I'm glad my humor was not totally lost. Ciao, for now.