DAC: to upsample or not to upsample?

[macauley86]

My music library is ripped from CDs at AIFF 44.1 kHz sample rate, playing on a 2013 MacBook Pro running Audirvana through its internal DAC connected to my integrated amp via 3.5mm-to-RCA. I'm also testing a Topping D10 USB DAC with the system.

Is it best practice to disable upsampling in Audirvana, thus using the 44.1 kHz sample rate that matches my source material? Or should I upsample using the power of 2, 4, 8? Or upsample to the DAC's native (max) resolution? Or does it not matter? I have read that upsampling buys you nothing and could introduce quantization noise.

Any advice?

 

[RayDunzl]

I have no choice.

PCM is resampled to 211khz (inside the DAC), take it or leave it.

Vendor claims that was the rate that gave best performance from the DAC chip used..

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Instead of offering my opinion, I will recommend that you try all this, since you can, and decide for yourself.

 

[Blumlein 88]

My opinion would be to use native sample rates.

Like Kal, I'd suggest you pick a couple or three songs and try it for yourself. I don't think there is any advantage in 2x, 4x, 8x rates vs an uneven one with software now.

 

[MediumRare]

Is it best practice to disable upsampling in Audirvana, thus using the 44.1 kHz sample rate that matches my source material? Or should I upsample using the power of 2, 4, 8? Or upsample to the DAC's native (max) resolution? Or does it not matter? I have read that upsampling buys you nothing and could introduce quantization noise.

I just tried it with my MacBook Pro, FLAC, and Audirvana (see below). The only difference I could hear without doing a DBT was static/distortion when Audirvana used 98%+ CPU trying to achieve device frequency. BTW, I'm using a DX7 Pro. So I have left upsampling deactivated.

 

[macauley86]

Instead of offering my opinion, I will recommend that you try all this, since you can, and decide for yourself.

I hear no difference between the Mac's onboard DAC and the D10. I also hear no difference with either DAC whether I enable upsampling or not.