Bel Canto 1.1 - Convince Me.

Thanks Sam: I should probably send mine in now, while the rest of the system is still in a state of turmoil.

A follow-up e-mail from BC regarding my question about any future new DAC design using 24/192 up sampling.

>>Dear Sam,
I didn't respond to the second half of your email. Here goes; We are always looking into new technologies and we are currently in the design stage for our next digital products. The earliest these product(s) will go into production would be late Fall. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Craig Bleeker <<

Thanks Dekay for the review of your DAC 1. I can't wait to get my DAC 1.1. I hope it makes a noticeable improvement over my current setup. Funny you mention the BMI Whale cord, that's something else I'm looking into. New DACs from Bel Canto by fall? Will the spending cycle ever end? :)

Without getting too technical, what advantage does 192 up sampling have when one is playing back standard (Redbook) CD's? I mean, does it effect the playback of this type of software?

Standard CD format (redbook) is 16bit/44khz data, BC and others increase this data to 24bit/96 khz by upsampling standard CD which when done right with proper technology/design sounds much better and more natural than 16/44 ever could. New chips are now available which allow designs of 24bit/192khz and higher which may give even better sound if designed properly.

For instance MSB Link Dac offers 192khz upgrade now, and their top of the line Platinum Dac has 46/384 upsampling!
This is just one aspect though of how good a DAC can sound,
if you read the FAQ and white papers at BC website they describe other important considerations to acheive great sound.