Why? The reconstruction filter in modern DACs is an upsampler, it's one step. I would never expect correctly implemented upsampling to have any audible effect, with the exception of using super slow filters in your DAC, as those would then start to droop in FR outside of the audible band.
Oh, I agree. I'm just trying to explain how some try to justify spending a lot on extreme upsampling. Even if it is valid, it's not likely to be audible to most, other factors such as flat FR 20-20 kHz being present and correct, of course.
You clearly know more than I do, but I thought that the Shannon-Nyqyist theory requires full attenuation at ½ sampling frequency.When you filter the recording at 20kHz the first mirror image you would encounter and have to suppress is 24kHz.
That's why a lot of filters attenuate max at 24kHz.
This allows for less steep anti-alias and less steep reconstruction filters that still can reach 20kHz with 0dB attenuation.
Of course there will always be recordings that will still have some signal above 21kHz or so but that would be very low level so mirror images (and IM products) will be even lower.
Still ... filters as used by Motu, Chord and some of those SW filters of course are 'better'.
Motu goes to 21kHz and Chord to 22kHz.
Inaudible anyway for the wealthy audiophile that can afford the mentioned Chord gear.
This is a good place for people who are confused by measurements and want to clear it up. Lots of educational material on how it’s done, how to interpret the outputs, and the possible pitfalls. If fidelity is your goal in purchasing electronics, reading and interpreting measurements to get there is pretty simple.
Often stated but not really the case. Reason is that the process of upsampling MUST implement an anti imaging filter at half the original sample rate, in order to avoid the imaging of the pre-upsampled spectrum being created in the upsampled version.
When I heard the M-Scaler into Dave at my local audio salon, the M-Scaler appeared to push the image back a little (more depth, man...). Turns out the thing drops the level and knowing what I now know about how slight level differences can totally screw up conclusions in A-B comparisons...
Only true for theoretical conditions as laid out in the theorem (and practical for Chord) but such sharp filters are not used on the recording side and they are obligatory.
Interesting that in JA's review of the device he does not mention this at all. All his comments seem to relate to differences and improvements in soundstage and imaging.
The funny thing is, every Chord amplifier dem I've heard one not so long ago with their then new six grand preamp and matching power amp, the sound is hard toned and dry, lacking that 'hear-into-the-mix' vibe that a mere Quad amp can do with consumate ease... All very unscientific of course, but seemingly repeatable over decades different speakers used were Wison Benesh, Kudos and passive (spit) three-way ATCs...Interesting that in JA's review of the device he does not mention this at all. All his comments seem to relate to differences and improvements in soundstage and imaging.
Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler upsampling digital processor Page 2 | Stereophile.com
In my DAVE review, I concluded that that DAC's "superb re-creation of soundstage depth, its sense of musical drive, and the clarity with which it presented recorded detail were addictive." Listening to this new sample of the DAVE, that is what I heard. But with the DAVE working with CD data...www.stereophile.com
Reminds me of trying the Mutec reclocking device at a friend's place. So many people had rushed to shell out a grand for these devices reporting big gains. I was sceptical and when he switched it in it did absolutely nothing at all.
I said so and apparently I should have been listening to the soundstage, which had supposedly got a bit larger. Not what I was expecting from the wildly enthusiastic reports I'd read.
Chord's own website no longer has the nonsense about filling in gaps between the samples quoted in JA's review and simply states that the device 'dramatically improves sound quality' which pretty much covers any and all differences that may be perceived.
As always with these things we're really just listening to speakers and rooms. Last Chord demo I was at was DAVE, Mscaler, and pre-power, into little two way towers with six inch mid-bass (forget the make, but ten grand!) not hard to guess where the bottleneck was. Not a small room either so why they didn't put some more capable speakers in there I've no idea. Presumably, neither have they!
Same.
