Non-Oversampling (NOS) vs,


I am curious. Is a Non-Oversampling (NOS) DAC sound better than a DAC that upsamples the original signal? Or, in other words, is it better to maintain the “original signal” and not add mathematical calculated extra bits?

I also understand that a DAC’s implementation makes a huge different in the resulting sound quality and so does the analog section. I am just trying to better understand a NOS DAC vs one that upsamples.



hgeifman

Showing 1 response by blindjim


OP>
I am just trying to better understand a NOS DAC vs one that upsamples.

I’m wondering myself how great a part this plays in the final result?

I mean after all, does this really matter somehow?

I believe regardless a dAC be an OS or NOS DAC, there is more to this than the philosophy or approach being lent to the solution.

like the OP alludeed to, as such, EVERYTHING in the dAC build and implementation has to be considered as a ‘WHOLE’, despite the OS or NOS digital side of the affair.

as I understand OS DACs some sonic aberations are attenuated or ameliorated outright via up sampling the rate. the other approach handles things differently, of course.

then to, some dACs deal with sonic issues on the analog side.

doesn't that all by itself sort of make the design argument nonessential?

for eX… lets say you got to hear similarly priced but not exactly, two dACs. one of each design, and in your own rig.

in the end, things were close. very very close. its come down to a coin toss.

the thing then is cost. Right?

one must stay focused on the overall, or end result and not merely at which way they went to achieve it.

it do make for some interesting debates though, from time to time.

if the dAC has the short list of options I desire, I can afford to buy it, and its a decided boost to the sQ in the system, I could care less if they got blind squirrels juggling knives while jogging on a treadmill inside the thing.

well, so long as I don’t have to feed or clean up after them, and they maintain their hygiene.