@audiotroy
I’ve been round the mulberry bush several times with upsampling to my PS Audio DSD DAC. I know why Roon’s upsampling can be appealing. Depending on how it’s done, I can hear the apparent increase in space and detail around the notes. However, this seems to be dependent upon which phase filter is being used.
The phase filters as applied in Roon definitely add their own flavor to the music. To me, the minimum phase filter smooths things out, kills dynamics a bit, and seems to smear the music ever so slightly.
Conversely, while the linear phase filter does raise the spectre of pre-ringing, it also gives that apparent increase in space and detail you referenced above; almost like a Photoshop sharpening, or contrast filter. But, this seems to come at the expense of removing a bit of sweetness from the highs (I’m sure there are other differences). To me, it leaves the sound a little more harsh. On short listens, I know exactly why people might prefer the sound.
For me, all roads have lead back to native frequencies. I have yet to find any DSP combination in Roon that is more appealing than a native file, in the long run. Although short-term changes seem to make improvements, after the novelty wears off, I have without exception felt the exchange was a bit of a Faustian bargain (trading the music’s soul for cheap tricks).
Have you considered whether your preference for upsampling is because of the phase filter being used? Something of a “sound effect”?
I’ve been round the mulberry bush several times with upsampling to my PS Audio DSD DAC. I know why Roon’s upsampling can be appealing. Depending on how it’s done, I can hear the apparent increase in space and detail around the notes. However, this seems to be dependent upon which phase filter is being used.
The phase filters as applied in Roon definitely add their own flavor to the music. To me, the minimum phase filter smooths things out, kills dynamics a bit, and seems to smear the music ever so slightly.
Conversely, while the linear phase filter does raise the spectre of pre-ringing, it also gives that apparent increase in space and detail you referenced above; almost like a Photoshop sharpening, or contrast filter. But, this seems to come at the expense of removing a bit of sweetness from the highs (I’m sure there are other differences). To me, it leaves the sound a little more harsh. On short listens, I know exactly why people might prefer the sound.
For me, all roads have lead back to native frequencies. I have yet to find any DSP combination in Roon that is more appealing than a native file, in the long run. Although short-term changes seem to make improvements, after the novelty wears off, I have without exception felt the exchange was a bit of a Faustian bargain (trading the music’s soul for cheap tricks).
Have you considered whether your preference for upsampling is because of the phase filter being used? Something of a “sound effect”?