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Transport/DAC upsample question

In a transport/DAC combo,which unit upsamples the signal?
For example,a PC (or any transport which doesn't support upsample) connected to DAC which supports 24/192khz upsample.Does upsample happen or not?Do you have to bring already upsampled signal to DAC?
Do transport and DAC always have to match with the same upsample characteristics to get the best results?
Maybe for some of you a-goners this is basics,but i'm really not certain about this.
audiobb

Showing 1 response by clio09

clio09
3,343 posts
 
Typically the DAC does the upsampling. This could be a standard upsampling frequency, say 24/96 or 24/192, or some DACs allow you to select the upsampling frequency

However, my North Star transport also upsamples. Using the XLR output I can set a switch to allow 24/96 upsampling. Using the I2S output I can set a switch to allow for 24/192 upsampling. If I do this, then in XLR mode I can upsample the 24/96 signal to 24/192 at the DAC (which also happens to be a North Star), or with the I2S mode the DAC just accepts the 24/192 signal and passes it through.
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