Upsampling the way to go? ?

I have upsampling on my Integra Research RDC-7 . I like it alot. I do not have SACD yet as I am waiting for a worthy universal player. I do however have DVDA. I got the DVDA before the Integra. When I first heard the DVDA , on certain well recorded discs , I was very impressed with the resolution. When I got the Integra , I got used to listening to my better recorded cd's with upsampling. Now the resolution difference is very close. CD's are a very bright format. So I got a Classe amp. Now Im in sonic heaven. Mix upsampling with a Classe or a tube amp if you are so inclined, and you will be a happy camper. That does not mean Im anti SACD. I will get a player and some discs. But when you have a massive CD collection, and a limit on the number of SACD's that your actually interested in, Upsampling done well can be very satisfying

I recently upgraded my Leveinson #39 to the new #390s. The #39 was an excellent sounding player, but the 390s is a big improvement. The 390s increases the sample rate to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz and is the main reason for the improvement.

I think that both 16 bit and upsampled 24 bit can sound very good. Most of the "problems" that we hear are not with either format, but with the amount, type and how the filtering is used in each design. I've tried it both ways and i prefer upsampling. Then again, my upsampler doesn't have any filtering so that may be part of the reason that i like it so much. The non-oversampling ( 1X ) Audio Note's also don't have any filtering and that may be why so many people think that they sound so good also. Sean
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The upsampling is only as good as the implementation. If the implementation isn't done with care the added circuitry can easily overwhelm any benefits of upsampling. Better to buy a well-executed non-upsampling DAC than a mediocre upsampling DAC. Also, it's important to understand that upsampling is not analogous to interpolation where the word length is increased to 24 bits or so--they are two separate things and should not be lumped together. I'm drunk and going to sleep now--night night.

Tim

Tim, I thought interpolation *was* "upsampling", whereas increasing word length was accomplished by adding randomly generated dither below the signal level, so it sounds to me like *you* might be confusing two separate things. But then again, what the heck do I really know about this stuff?! Not a lot, let me tell you!!

To address the main question, I just yesterday received a new-to-me MSB Gold Link upsampling DAC bought here on the 'Gon, to compare with my reference Theta DSPro Basic IIIa (Theta also seems to disagree with the theory). I've just started auditioning, and will post my findings when I've had enough time to make a meaningful decision about which unit I will keep. But I can tell you right now that the MSB with upsampling engaged definitely sounds different not only from the Theta, but from itself with the upsampling turned off, so it ain't doing nothing. Finding an upsampling-capable unit and auditioning it against your reference may well prove to be an educational experience - I think it will be for me.