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.

I certainly know how to enjoy listening to recorded music, and it seems to me that you are the one that doesn't know how to do that. Perhaps it's true with all musicians, but it seems that they're never happy listening, only playing. That's fine with me, and also a good thing; otherwise they wouldn't be playing what gets recorded, or playing live. But don't presume to tell me that I'm not having fun, just because I listen to recorded music. And regarding marketing hype, it's very easy for anyone in the world to just sit back, and spout that things that others have experienced THAT THEY THEMSELVES HAVE NOT, and are enthusiastic about, is all just "hype". I too think that there's a lot of "hype" in the world, and I really don't care if you think upsampling is "hype" or not...Go back to playing with your world class chums, and let us enjoy music the way we can, and stop begrudging it.

Hey, not bad Carl. My apt is to small for live music,as is most everybodys'(music room) Can't play a lick of anything.--All I got is my love for music playback; and my system. In reading,year after year people like Les Paul,Allan Parsons,all have one thing in common;Budget equiptment. Playing,over the years, for musicians, (listening in Allan Parsons case) has done something,It may be because it is their JOB.(Not an informed opinin) They may love performing,but it ends there. They know,as do we,nothing compares to live,and have little interest in our hobby,hey that's fine with me.I do have Purcell. working on Delius.It ain't just upsampling,It is HOW it is done.(like playing music).

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.

It's interesting, the emotional truth at the core of music has nothing to do with the quality of the sound. Maybe that's why alot of musicians don't have audiophile quality systems. The music really is only in your head. Deaf people have composed symphonies and I bet they "hear" it better than most people.