Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Upsampling and skinning the proverbial cat

Good idea. I ordered the Halide Design Bridge today so I'll be checking my mileage in about a week and a half.

Gary

"suffice to say I've heard better from my system (3D soundstage/dynamics)"

To expand a little on my experiences so far... Files outputted at their native rate, whether 16/44 or 24/88 or 24/96 sound better via the Control 15 than via the Transporter. However, a 16/44 played natively from the Transporter sounds better than via the Sooloos in upsampling 2x mode.

To define "better" is difficult, one way may be to say that I listen to one and I experience the other?

For those with a history of conventional hi-fi the difference between the two is the same as substituting a mid range Audioquest analogue interconnect for a high end Nordost. There seems to be so much more there, albeit subtle differences that seem to add up - from leading edges, dynamic swings, room atmosphere (soundstage size width, depth and space) and instrumental timing subtleties.

I'd be very happy if there was a native option in the zone menu ie 24/96 files would output at 24/96 and 16/44 would output at 16/44. Of course this can be achieved but it means delving into the settings each time, the novelty wears off quickly!

For those in the technical know, is there any reason due to the hardware architecture that the Sooloos couldn't output a native 24/192 file?

Of more interest, is there anyone with the know how to mod the software config to create such a "native" option (or disable the upsampling with the force 1x unselected? (PM's most welcome to save agitating HQ...)

Update : I've been converting some 16/44 tracks to 24/88 using the Audiofile Sample Manager with very pleasing results.

Using XLD I first convert from FLAC to AIFF (as opposed to WAV) as this retains the metadata. Thankfully the Sample Manager can output in FLAC post conversion.

It's quite a slow process but worth the wait. It's the best I've heard on my system so far...

Hi DPaws

Why do you need to convert to AIFF?

Cheers
Tom

Ahh - It's a limitation of the Sample Manager software, it doesn't import FLAC (yet... update planned one day apparently)

If you fancy trying the same Tom PM me for details

What filter setting are you using ?

Avii

Hi Avii

1st convert any FLAC to AIFF using XLD (handles batch, just drag and drop, no UI until running...

Audiofile Sample Manager

Three stages (for a 16/44 native file)

1) Convert Bit Depth : 24 bit / Dither : MBIT+ / Destination : In place

2) Convert Sample Rate : 88200Hz / Resample YES / iZotope Resampler / Quality highest / Destination : In place

3) Export as FLAC / Destination "Make New Files"

Hope that makes sense when you've got the screens up -

Good luck, I'd be interested in your opinion

Thanks. I was confusing the filter options in Fidelia that allows custom settings.

Avi

Ahhh - are you doing all your conversion on the fly? If so, how does it compare with the upsampled and stored file?

Thanks Steve - will do !!

No most with Sample Manager to be used with other rendering software but I did use Fidelia for a while. I think the answer will depend on personal taste especially when using the custom filter options versus fixed in Sample Manager.

Avii

Update: I received the Halide Design Bridge last Thursday, plugged the USB into my MacBook Pro and the SPDIF into D1 of the 861v6. Then I spent the weekend making various comparisons. It worked pretty much as described in John Atkinsons review in Stereophile. I was pleased with the SQ and thrilled with the convenience. It was fun using my iPad as a remote, although I don't like the couch potato life style this could get me there. I downloaded the 15 day trial version of Pure Music and enabled "Memory Play" and "Hog Mode". Of course I have no idea what "Hog Mode" is or does but hey it worked.

I also tried the "Audioquest class 1" optical cable using a toslink-opticalplug 3.5 mm adapter connecting the MacBook to an optical input. While this method worked, I had a clear preference for the "bridge" and so I didn't spend too much time testing this connection.

In a nutshell for me the "Halide Design Bridge" is a keeper and I won't be using their 60 day money back policy.

@Ronnie: Thanks for the info on the Halide Design. Since I already had the MacBook and iPad this was an inexpensive solution for me. Without this thread I probably would not have found this path.

Regards,
Gary