The GW Labs DSP uses technology licensed from Monarchy, and is in many ways the next generation of the Monarchy DIP. However, it adds some very interesting features. What it does (in part):
jitter reduction
signal isolation and boost
reclocking
sample frequency conversion
It works the same as any other jitter reduction device, plugged between transport and DAC, but with one important difference. There's a little switch on the front that changes position between 44.1 and 96 KHz. Unlike some other jitter reduction devices, the DSP does not attempt to recover the timing from the source. Instead it takes the digital sampling and reclocks it, using its own internal clocks. It accepts any digital signal between 32 and 96 KHz. It then outputs at either 16/44.1 or 24/96, at the flick of a switch.
I got the DSP, and initially hooked it up with Acoustic Research Pro Series Digital Interconnects. I wasn't impressed. However, I switched over to Elco DC-32 digital interconnects, and the story got very interesting (the Elco's are no longer made, and when they were discontinued at about $45 at Audiogon were a steal. I'm sorry I only got a half dozen of them). The difference between cables is enough to make anyone who thinks digital interconnects don't make a difference think again. It's a much more dramatic difference than the upsampling effect, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
With the Elco's in place, the DSP produced a major improvement in the digital signal. Feeding an ART DI/O->SHA-1->HP-1, there was a greater ability to hear individual instruments out of a group. Very small sounds that were on CD's I had listened to many times showed up...things I had never heard previously. Lower noise floor, more detail, better extension at both low and high end...I'm really glad I got this.
I did mention that this device does upsampling. I was really curious to see what improvement it made on the sound. At first, I couldn't hear any difference at all. A/B is as simple as a flick of a switch, and there just wasn't any difference to be heard...then. However, after getting used to it, I tried again. The CD at this time had some very light cymbal work in the background, almost inaudible in itself, but this is where the character of the upsampling showed itself...and it's not particularly good. With a 44.1 source, upsampling to 24/96 seemed to take the light cymbal work, and brighten in, but not in a good way. The metallic nature of the brush on the cymbal was diminished. Flipping back to 44.1, the cymbal regained its metallic sound, and it was easier to hear the brush across the metal, rather than a smear of sound. The more time I spent comparing, the easier it was to hear that the upsampling was producing a more digital kind of sound...while staying at the same sample rate sounded more like music. It's all very subtle compared to the digital interconnect effects, and the effect of the DSP itself. However, for the time being, I'd have to say that the upsampling done by the DSP isn't worth bothering with, and may be slightly detrimental. This is an early impression, and subject to change.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm over the upsampling, I'd recommend this unit easily (with the caveat that buying from a place with a good return policy is always a good idea with this type of device). This is the fourth jitter reduction device I've used (others were Theta TLC, Monarchy DIP Mark II, Monarchy 24/96), and the GW Labs DSP is IMO far better at cleaning up the digital signal than any of the others I've heard. The increase in digital signal strength is also a big plus...some DAC's, in particular the ART DI/O, that may have trouble locking on to a signal will have a much easier time with the boosted signal. Using external sync, my DI/O was able to grab and lock onto the signal much faster than it has been able to at any time in the past, with any source. That's worth the price to me right there (list price $399, demo unit at Audio Advisor was $229).
A very nice improvement in the digital signal, even if you forget about the upsampling.
jitter reduction
signal isolation and boost
reclocking
sample frequency conversion
It works the same as any other jitter reduction device, plugged between transport and DAC, but with one important difference. There's a little switch on the front that changes position between 44.1 and 96 KHz. Unlike some other jitter reduction devices, the DSP does not attempt to recover the timing from the source. Instead it takes the digital sampling and reclocks it, using its own internal clocks. It accepts any digital signal between 32 and 96 KHz. It then outputs at either 16/44.1 or 24/96, at the flick of a switch.
I got the DSP, and initially hooked it up with Acoustic Research Pro Series Digital Interconnects. I wasn't impressed. However, I switched over to Elco DC-32 digital interconnects, and the story got very interesting (the Elco's are no longer made, and when they were discontinued at about $45 at Audiogon were a steal. I'm sorry I only got a half dozen of them). The difference between cables is enough to make anyone who thinks digital interconnects don't make a difference think again. It's a much more dramatic difference than the upsampling effect, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
With the Elco's in place, the DSP produced a major improvement in the digital signal. Feeding an ART DI/O->SHA-1->HP-1, there was a greater ability to hear individual instruments out of a group. Very small sounds that were on CD's I had listened to many times showed up...things I had never heard previously. Lower noise floor, more detail, better extension at both low and high end...I'm really glad I got this.
I did mention that this device does upsampling. I was really curious to see what improvement it made on the sound. At first, I couldn't hear any difference at all. A/B is as simple as a flick of a switch, and there just wasn't any difference to be heard...then. However, after getting used to it, I tried again. The CD at this time had some very light cymbal work in the background, almost inaudible in itself, but this is where the character of the upsampling showed itself...and it's not particularly good. With a 44.1 source, upsampling to 24/96 seemed to take the light cymbal work, and brighten in, but not in a good way. The metallic nature of the brush on the cymbal was diminished. Flipping back to 44.1, the cymbal regained its metallic sound, and it was easier to hear the brush across the metal, rather than a smear of sound. The more time I spent comparing, the easier it was to hear that the upsampling was producing a more digital kind of sound...while staying at the same sample rate sounded more like music. It's all very subtle compared to the digital interconnect effects, and the effect of the DSP itself. However, for the time being, I'd have to say that the upsampling done by the DSP isn't worth bothering with, and may be slightly detrimental. This is an early impression, and subject to change.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm over the upsampling, I'd recommend this unit easily (with the caveat that buying from a place with a good return policy is always a good idea with this type of device). This is the fourth jitter reduction device I've used (others were Theta TLC, Monarchy DIP Mark II, Monarchy 24/96), and the GW Labs DSP is IMO far better at cleaning up the digital signal than any of the others I've heard. The increase in digital signal strength is also a big plus...some DAC's, in particular the ART DI/O, that may have trouble locking on to a signal will have a much easier time with the boosted signal. Using external sync, my DI/O was able to grab and lock onto the signal much faster than it has been able to at any time in the past, with any source. That's worth the price to me right there (list price $399, demo unit at Audio Advisor was $229).
A very nice improvement in the digital signal, even if you forget about the upsampling.
