Computer Audio Asylum

Posted by seger (A) on October 13, 2009 at 01:53:09

In Reply to: RE: bypassing media player upsampling, posted by AstroD on October 12, 2009 at 23:08:51

I think it is actually a complete restructuring based on the 44.1 data, not just a gap-filling exercise. It can never be "the-same-plus-more-detail", but will be new data - always an approximation based on the original 44.1 - therefore upsampling tries to create the illusion of high-res, but loses something of the original as well.

In part, you confirm what I was attempting to say about the addictive effect of upsampling. Going back to 44.1 after a long time with upsampling, you will feel the lack of the illusion of high-res ("holes" or "gaps") for quite some time, like going through withdrawal symptoms. It wears off eventually, and you hear the music for what it is - 44.1k, not high-res, and not fake-high-res. I prefer the vitality of 44.1 - I would like to magically transform all my music into real high-res, but it ain't gonna happen!

If anybody tries the exercise I suggested, and then still prefers the upsampling sound, fair go - it's all a matter of preference. I expect to remain happily in a small minority on this point.