Upsampling the way to go? ?

Zaikesman ... your accusations are quite valid ... I usually don't have much time to do a thorough read. Re-reading the thread we are in close agreement.

Thanks also to dan2112 ... this white paper was very interesting. Perhaps if I get the time and money I'll have a listen to an upsampler. However much SACD is theoretically better I'm certainly not in the mood to replace several hundred CDs, especially since many were (unfortunately) digitally recorded, probably at 44kHz !

http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/papers/aes97ny.pdf

Anybody interested in reading about the results of my auditioning of my new upsampling DAC against my reference that I referred to above, should be able to see it shortly on the forum in a new post titled Upsampling Put To The Test (hopefully it'll show up there later today). It's a long article though, don't say you haven't been warned... :-)

The Theta III would not be the one I would use as a comparison as to upsampling and non upsampling devices. I have always found them to have great bass and dynamics but not much in the musicality dept. We have compared MANY upsamplers to the Audio Note DAC's and it has always been no contest. We have done many shootouts here with customers and it doesn't take but 5 minutes to know that at this point anyway, upsampling is a great marketing ploy. We have extended the offer numerous times to allow any Audiogon member in the Bay Area CA to bring their upsamplers over and compare to non. No one ever takes us up on it. It seems people like to throw technical mumbo jumbo around as to benefits of one over the other. Or they compare a new upsampler to some antiquated DAC and say wow what a difference. Bring it on:)
I will state the rules again: Be open minded. I will be. Lets have fun and you can report back here since my views will be taken with a grain of salt as a dealer. Who by the way has sold and heard many a DAC.

After reading your test I applaud your initiative. And even though I didn't think the Theta would slay the upsampler I was proven wrong on that assertion. Good job and I agree completely with your results. Good job!

I actually had the opportunity to listen to the Musical Fidelity Nu Vista cd w/the intergrated MF,(sorry can't recall the model #,along with the AR CD3 W/LS16 ARC PRE&100.2 ARC AMP.Both systems were running w/ the Vandersteen 3a Sig's and Volcano AQ speaker cable.First off my initial impresssion was that the MF system was really warm and a bit too bloomy in the bass.In fact it was so bloomy I felt as if I were in a fog .Details in the mid's and highs were really masked ,needless to say I didn't care for the sound.When the dealer switched over to the ARC setup the detail became more pronounced and the bass had much more dynamics and overall punch.To my ears it sounded much better and less fatiguing .Now given the right equipment I'm sure you could get a better result w/the MF setup,I think w/ARC, Vandersteen and AQ wiring the syngery is really strong,hence the better presentationIMHO.