HF - the problem with glassiness you are experiencing is due to two things:
1) the poor digital filter that the DAC imposes on that sample-rate
2) high jitter
I listen to 44.1 tracks all day long and don't get any of this glassiness or hardness. I do select a more optimum digital filter on my DAC. If you are at the Newport Beach show, come to the Atrium hotel and have a listen to my system.
I used to upsample everything to eliminate these nasties, but with the right digital filter (or no digital filter as in NOS DACs) and low jitter it is not necessary anymore.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
1) the poor digital filter that the DAC imposes on that sample-rate
2) high jitter
I listen to 44.1 tracks all day long and don't get any of this glassiness or hardness. I do select a more optimum digital filter on my DAC. If you are at the Newport Beach show, come to the Atrium hotel and have a listen to my system.
I used to upsample everything to eliminate these nasties, but with the right digital filter (or no digital filter as in NOS DACs) and low jitter it is not necessary anymore.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio