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Topic: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher (Read 4631 times) previous topic - next topic
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CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

What do you think about that ? Any audio quality gains ? Music information in terms of the bit level are the same. Upsampling works as a filter and it does matter in terms of timing so it will be very DAC quality dependent.
Method wise: can the fly method done by a CD-transport be compared with a static (saved) audio wav fil (PCM 44,1 KHz /16 bit which you export in Audacity to 88,2 KHz and more levels ? If there is a qualitative audioable difference in upsampling (more relaxed sound) - would it not also be true in the case of the CD-transport ?
CD-transport offers I2S outlet and my DAC has I2S inlet.
I'm very interested to here all about your experience with upsampling  :-)

Re: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

Reply #1 –
What benefit could that possibly have?  There are no signal components (in 44.1 ksps) beyond 22kHz, any that are have been introduced by poor design in the subsequent audio chain... and adding another processing stage can only add more errors.

I can't help thinking this exact question has been asked before.
It's your privilege to disagree, but that doesn't make you right and me wrong.

Re: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

Reply #2 –
Use a computer with an optical disc drive capable of reading CDs if you want to upsample to an external DAC or whatever instead, software such as foobar2000 can play CDs and do realtime resampling if needed or desired.  If your DAC is crappy with CD audio for whatever reason, get a different one that isn't.

Re: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

Reply #3 –
Quote from: fooball on
What benefit could that possibly have?  There are no signal components (in 44.1 ksps) beyond 22kHz, any that are have been introduced by poor design in the subsequent audio chain... and adding another processing stage can only add more errors.

I can't help thinking this exact question has been asked before.

Most DACs have oversampling built in, because it is easier to filter up at 352KHz (8x oversampling) as it is far away from the audio of 44KHz

Re: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

Reply #4 –
OP: It is not the transports doing that job. They get you out the bits on the CD.
Then for the reasons spoon mentions, the DACs oversample to get the sampling noise a few octaves away from the audible.

Re: CD-transport which can upsample PCM 44,1 KHz / 16 bit during playback to higher

Reply #5 –
A couple of comments  -

Up-sampling audio is different from video.*

If you define "sound quality" as "accuracy", you can't improve it. ;)  Up-sampling changes the "bits" so you can no-longer say it's "bit-perfect".   In the real world, re-sampling algorithms (slightly) change the existing samples, even if you are doubling the sample rate. Theoretically, you can only degrade it but there shouldn't be an audible difference.

There are MUCH better and more straightforward ways to alter or "enhance" the sound, starting with EQ.   EQ can be "corrective" to compensate for deficiencies in your speakers or the recording itself, or as an "effect" if you just like lots of bass, etc.   (But you can only boost the bass so-much before you push the amp or speaker into distortion.)

If you want to experiment with up-sampling, rip the CD and Audacity can make an up-sampled copy.   But if you think you're hearing a difference, be aware of the "famous"  TOS #8 before making such claims here.  ...And if you do reliably hear a difference in a blind ABX test, we'll all go crazy trying to figure out why.   :D



* With video you can interpolate and add more pixels.   But a DAC puts-out smoot-continuous analog and it doesn't help to interpolate more digital samples before the analog conversion.