spektrograf

I've been exchanging e-mail with Barrows over at PS Audio about the DL-III I have and how it handles high sample rate data streams through the SRC. He mentioned that PS Audio is looking to release a new Ultralink DAC.

The de-emphasis function is probably a separate algorithm altogether from the SRC algorithm within SoX. Just looking at the SRC results on that webpage, the SoX (very high quality) algorithm seems to perform superbly on all the tests

From the "like" standpoint, I totally agree. For the price of a Purcell, anyone can try out several software implementations. Though, it would take a bit of work to convert an entire digital library over once you find one to go with. That's definitely the benefit of a good hardware implementation. If it sounds good, then it could be hugely convenient all 'round. Thx for the link to the older version of foobar2000, deepak. I'll have to carve out some time in the near future to play around with it. It's interesting to compare various implementations like Apple Soundtrack Pro (don't know what version was tested) to free audio apps like SoX, which offers multiple up and down sampling algorithms. STP seems to exhibit increasing noise and artifacts with respect to frequency on the sweep test. With SoX, the various algorithms seems to trade off quality vs. speed of conversion. So, purely for the sake of a technical discussion, I'm wondering what compromises are done at the hardware implementation level to achieve real time SRC at a reasonable processor cost.

So, I recently stumbled on this site (http://src.infinitewave.ca/) where they compare various software-based SRC implementations. The tests compare 96kHz conversion down to 44.1kHz. Clicking on "Help" brings up an interesting article on the whole subject of SRC in general. Just by clicking through the results of a few popular DAW and audio editing apps, there are noticeable differences in the results that come out of that. That leaves me wondering...how good are the hardware-based upsampling algorithms in DAC's today? From DAC's such as the PSA DLIII's to dcs Purcell's, just how good are those hardware-based upsampling algorithms? If someone were inclined, would they be better off doing the SRC themselves with a piece of software with a great algorithm, such as Isotope and feeding the DAC a data stream that has already been upsampled to the DAC's target upsampled sample rate... for example, 192kHz... (assuming the DAC would pass-through rather than process the data stream if the sample rate were equal from input to output) ...OR... would it be more worthwhile to let the hardware's implementation do the upsampling? This directly applies to the DAC I have, of course... the PSA DLIII, but it also applies on the whole to high sample rate source material like HRx that is potentially downsampled on playback before hitting the digital out of a computer depending on what interface is being used. Any thoughts on this?

Congrat's, Jeepster! Let us know how you enjoy it!

Actually, in the last month I've had a chance to hear the DA10, DLIII stock, DLIII w/o mods, WA Cosine, D/AC 1600 (no mods--1100 is the 1600 single-ended), D/AC 1500, Assemblage 2.6 w/mods, P3-A, and the Duet. I lived with the DA10, DLIII w/mods, WA Cosine, and Duet simultaneously for a few weeks. I still have the DLIII w/mods and Duet in my possession. I listened to the DAC1 at length a year ago, and I'm pretty sure it's not the current version. I have not heard the DAC3 (stated in the thread you linked to). I probably should have stated that the ECD1 observation in that thread was just from online research and chatting with an owner here in the Bay Area that I was going to purchase the ECD1 from after an audition (another A'goner bought it before the audition weekend came up).

Hey... I may have been a bit hasty on offering Filburt's services. He doesn't really have an active mod business going.

x2 on the Duet being better than the DA10. If you're willing to buy used... there's a PS Audio Digital Link III on A'gon for $700. If you're willing to get a USB>SPDIF box, the Parasound D/AC-1100 going for $200 is a steal... and Filburt may even mod it for you.

LOL! M-u-s-t.......resist!

No worries, Al! It was more of just dropping you a line to say "hey"... that's all. Good seeing you, as well! I haven't hit up Bruce, but will definitely drop him a line. For now, I've been convinced to be patient and wait for the right solution, especially as I'm willing to break out he soldering iron... Thx again, Al!!

Yeah, almost went with mjg's mk1, however, I've been convinced to cool my heels a bit and wait for the right solution. mjg's definitely offering the M192 for a great price! Someone should pick that up.

That'd be cool, Dan...esp. since you're right around the corner from work! Thanks for the offer! I'll PM you and figure something out!

OIC.... hmmm.... wish I could get a chance to hear some of this gear in one place ... this whole DAC search is giving me a headache... \

Yeah... it's reading through you guys buzzin' about the ECD-1 and M192 that's cause me to go down this road... ...not that I'm ungrateful or anything, 'cuz it's all part of the process right? I've been reading the rave reviews and the "shoulda kept it" comments about the ECD-1...that's what's got me thinking about that DAC. The fact that some ppl think highly of the M192 has me curious... but... in the end... it'll probably be that I'm going to end up trying to get both in simultaneously to try with my own ears. In the meantime, I'm hoping someone with experience with both can chime in. Dan, thanks for the links! (and a HUGE hearty thanks again for being such an awesome host) I saw the SF3 earlier, but really didn't plan to outlay $2.4K on a DAC... esp. after the ZD recently. I totally hear you and Adam about the Parasound's... what I was hoping was to get in another used DAC that's identifiably nice and patiently wait for a 1100 to swing by.... then figure out modding it... all nice and slowly, but in the meantime, have another very nice DAC to both enjoy and compare a modded 1100 to. Did you have the 1500 in on Saturday? I didn't quite dig it—at least in that stock form—against the PS Audio DLIII.

cool! thx, grawk...