[shriramosu]

1. I have read that upsampling using SRC at 24/96 and foobar sounds better than 16/44.1, so is there any software that upsamples to 24/192 and would that be even better.

2. Is the limitation USB, since I think digital can output 24/192khz and or since coax/spdif directly into a DAC/receiver sounds worse than USB which can only do 24/96? Would firewire solve this problem

3. Why does upsampling work at all? Since original redbook is only 16/44/1 why would anything higher unless originally higher rates like SACD etc be better.

Thanks

Shriram

This is cross posted on audioasylum and agon sites too.

 

[The Burn Pt.2]

1. SRC does upsample to 192

2. Yes

3. Its no the higher sampling rate or any info added that makes a difference because nothing is really added if you think about it. Its just that 192 is "easier" to convert to analog than 44. Think about it this way.

You wear a tshirt. You change into a suit. The suit doesnt do anything to your body, but when others look at you , it changes their perception of you.

Changing from 16 bit to 24 bit DOES do things though, if it dithers or noise shapes. That actually changes the waveforms.

So basically going to 24 bit is the main change, while converting to 192 just helps the dac convert "better"

 

[thread]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Burn Pt.2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif converting to 192 just helps the dac convert "better"

Nice explanation; I've always sort of thought about the benefits of upsamping, and your words puts it in perspective a bit.

Even though I'm currently considering moving into Higher-fi (ED9), I'm not sure how quickly I'll feel like upgrading my MicroDAC to the Stello DA100 . . .

At any rate, thanks.

 

[Gatticus]

The audio benefit to upsampling is neglible to my ears so I just leave it on 48khz as it is a lot hassle when using a PC as source. I have tried various sampling rates though so know what the difference is in sound quality.

 

[LonerGenius]

I run my PC digital out through my Azur 740C which functions as a stand alone upsampling DAC and love the results. Perhaps the CDP/DAC combo might work for you...$1000 for the 740C though

 

[kamal007]

So in conclusion: Use 32bit and 192Khz if you DAC supports it?

 

[Ahriman4891]

Most modern DACs, even though they are marked as "192 KHz", actually have problems when fed a 192 KHz signal. If you must upsample for whatever reason, go up to 88.2 or 96 KHz.

 

[The Burn Pt.2]

I personally use 24bit 88.2 for laptop -> m-audio audiophile firewire

Some of my best cd's are converted to 32 bit 176.4 manually in adobe audition using custom settings for each cd.

 

[Gatticus]

I just looked up Adobe Audition and looks like a cool program but like all Adobe software it is expensive. Is it worth the cost?

 

[Gatticus]

The EMU 0404 converts everything to 32bit anyway, right? That's what XMPlay shows me anyway. Sample rate is apersonal preference if you think it is worth changing it. Some like 44.1 because it is the same as the cd, some like 88.2 because it is a mathematical doubling of 44.1 and others like 96khz because they say it gives better bottom end. And then you have me who uses default of 48khz because the sound difference is negligible to my ears and I don't want to tinker with that stuff all the time.

 

[Alleyman]

I too cant hear any significant changes in sound when upping the sample rate so I let my player output at the native sample rate.

 

[BadassBob]

I have SRCC at 176.4KHz and my E-MU putting out a 176.4KHz sample rate. Sounds better to me than ASIO at 16-bit/44.1KHz.

 

[Gatticus]

In what way does it sound better to you? I've seen some people say 44.1 sounds more neutral and is why they prefer it. To me the differences between sampling rates are so minute that it is not worth buggering around with. It's just like when I bought my Rotel cd player years ago. I could have bought the 20bit version but the older 16bit version was said to sound more "musical" in all the reviews I read so I went with that model instead of the newer 20bit model. It was cheaper too. I doubt I would have noticed a difference between models.

 

[BadassBob]

My headphones have a very neutral sound to begin with. The higher sample rate seemed to make the music more fun to listen to.

 

[Gatticus]

OK, maybe I should tinker with sampling rates some more and see. Maybe my hearing is just not good enough anymore to notice the benefit.