Are there sound quality benefits in upsampling to 24/192 using the ultra when outputing optically to a DAC?

[PavlosN]

I see that when outputting digital signal from the Ultra to a separate DAC one can set a fixed resolution such as 24/192, which I assume means that the signal is upsampled by the Ultra if it was originally at a lower resolution.

Is there a sound quality benefit to doing this or should one always output the signal at the original resolution?

 

[Burnside]

I’d say you should always output at the original resolution - the fixed resolution option’s main function is to avoid clicks and pops on sample rate changes on some external DACs.

 

[pieterv1]

Is there a sound quality benefit to doing this or should one always output the signal at the original resolution?

To answer this question: no absolutely not

 

[dtc]

One reason to use higher sample rates is to avoid the pre-ringing that comes from a steep brick wall filter. A 22 KHz brick wall filter creates pre-ringing in the 18 KHz range. Some people say they can hear that pre-ringing, but those people are few and far between. The pre-ringing in a 192 KHz sample rate is far outside the normal human hearing range. That has to be weighted against the quality of the upsampling routine.

So, technically - maybe. Practically - probably not for the vast majority of people..

 

[Valentino]

Short answer: Let the DAC handle it.

 

[dcolak]

24bit makes it easier to use it as a pre-amp without worrying you'll lose information when lowering the volume.

 

[Valentino]

Those 16 bits are put in the MSB end of the 24 bit output. You don’t lose info before you’ve turned the volume down 48 dB.

 

[dcolak]

I might be ignorant here, is DAC always outputting 24bit? I thought it outputs 24bit only when resampling to 192Khz.

 

[Smartplug]

No absolutely not in my ear in fact it made sound less transparent.

 

[Valentino]

I might be ignorant here, is DAC always outputting 24bit? I thought it outputs 24bit only when resampling to 192Khz.

The Ultra outputs a 24 bit word for the external DAC to read.

 

[dcolak]

The Ultra outputs a 24 bit word for the external DAC to read.

Oh, I have MINI. I'm in a wrong forum

 

[Valentino]

The Mini also outputs 24 bit on optical.

 

[dcolak]

The Mini also outputs 24 bit on optical.

Perfect, that's it.

 

[Musician]

I see that when outputting digital signal from the Ultra to a separate DAC one can set a fixed resolution such as 24/192, which I assume means that the signal is upsampled by the Ultra if it was originally at a lower resolution.

Is there a sound quality benefit to doing this or should one always output the signal at the original resolution?

No, the sound gets slightly worse using the fixed upsampling resolution. The same story happens with most streamers. Using the original sampling frequency always sounds better to my ears .

 

[jed1]

FYI. I submitted a support ticket about 24/192 fixed sampling issue with WiiM Pro Plus and have been waiting for WiiM to follow up. With 24/192 fixed sampling on my unit of WiiM Pro Plus causes left / right imbalance. If I turn off the option, then left and right are balanced.

Other than avoiding pops and reducing ringing, I don't see any benefits with upsampling in both frequency and bit-depth. Simply, upsampling cannot create new information.

 

[Lord Varamyr]

This is bizarre.

I can't be the only one having this problem?

I haven't used the Ultra in a couple weeks. Never had an issue.

Turned on today and I'm getting MAJOR DISTORTION AND CLIPPING from USB and COAX on certain tracks, and on the louder portions of those tracks. Similar to an i2s pin mismatch.

The only way to stop the distortion is to set the resolution to Fixed Resolution.

I have an external DAC. I don't want upsampling. I want the raw data in native resolution.

This must have come from a recent firmware update? I've used the Ultra for many hours with no issue.

 

[adias]

This is bizarre.

I can't be the only one having this problem?

I haven't used the Ultra in a couple weeks. Never had an issue.

Turned on today and I'm getting MAJOR DISTORTION AND CLIPPING from USB and COAX on certain tracks, and on the louder portions of those tracks. Similar to an i2s pin mismatch.

The only way to stop the distortion is to set the resolution to Fixed Resolution.

I have an external DAC. I don't want upsampling. I want the raw data in native resolution.

This must have come from a recent firmware update? I've used the Ultra for many hours with no issue.

I suggest you check your settings and power cycle the unit.

 

[EddNog]

This is bizarre.

I can't be the only one having this problem?

I haven't used the Ultra in a couple weeks. Never had an issue.

Turned on today and I'm getting MAJOR DISTORTION AND CLIPPING from USB and COAX on certain tracks, and on the louder portions of those tracks. Similar to an i2s pin mismatch.

The only way to stop the distortion is to set the resolution to Fixed Resolution.

I have an external DAC. I don't want upsampling. I want the raw data in native resolution.

This must have come from a recent firmware update? I've used the Ultra for many hours with no issue.

Try a hard reboot (completely disconnect and then reconnect power) on your DAC, too. I've had issues with some of my external DACs occasionally, "losing their minds," and needing a hard reboot.

-Ed

 

[Lord Varamyr]

Try a hard reboot (completely disconnect and then reconnect power) on your DAC, too. I've had issues with some of my external DACs occasionally, "losing their minds," and needing a hard reboot.

-Ed

Thank you. I think that actually worked.
So far so good.

It was the DAC. My god that's embarrassing. So weird. I missed what you were saying the first time then I reread your suggestion and tried cycling the Denafrips.

Thank you Ed!

 

[EddNog]

Thank you. I think that actually worked.
So far so good.

It was the DAC. My god that's embarrassing. So weird. I missed what you were saying the first time then I reread your suggestion and tried cycling the Denafrips.

Thank you Ed!

And it so happens that the Ares II I previously owned was one of the DACs I’ve had to do hard reboots on. Same with an SMSL D400 Pro.

-Ed