Oversampling DAC Vs. Non Oversampling?

I wouldn't worry about oversampling or not.

I'd chose the DAC based on accounts of how it actually sounds and how the sound will mesh with the rest of your system, not make oversampling or no a determining factor. Each DAC will sound different and some better than others like most things on any particular system.

Check other threads here on A'gon for some useful information about different DACs and how they sound compared to others.

There are DACs.

There are two subcategory of DACs. Digital filtered, or not.

Under the digital filtered category there are hundreds of DACs to try, and each will sound different than each other to varying degrees.

The DACs that do not have a digital filter chip are few in number. They sound significantly different from all OS DACs.

Try to find some non-oversampling DAC to try against any OS DACs you may lay hands on.

I agree on that. I have a $200 Valab non-oversampling dac and so far no other dac has been able to even come close to it. I called Kevin at Valab because he now has a new oversampling dac. He said it was for the people that want their music 'forward and aggressive' and that I probably would not like the new one, but he would send me one to try out if I wanted.

I have heard the obvious improvement in the holographic soundstage with the Valab NOS dac that no other dac has come close to even being close to.

I also own a Weiss DAC2 and a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 and so far I have to say that I have never become fatigued listening to the Valab.

I am hoping the Weiss will end up outperforming the Valab very soon as it is a new purchase for me.

I will keep you posted.

I have a VALAB modified with TeraDak DC-30W outboard power supply, Mundorf silver/oil output caps and it makes it more dynamic and expansive.

On the other hand, I've tried a Valab dac, and although I find it easy to listen to, I find the overall sound to lack the elements that bring "life" to the music. I can't really pinpoint what I hear, but it's kind of "mechanical" sounding, as if certain elements of music are missing. Imagine seeing the difference between a robot walking down the street, and a human walking down the street, and you'll see that the robot is missing the fine movements required to fully replicate the human's "lifelike" flow. Well, apply this type of comparison to listening to reproduced music, and that's the difference I hear when comparing my Valab to either of my 24/96 players. For me, the Valab lacks "life", and sounds more "mechanical", and my OS players have a much better sense of realistic tone, depth and believability.

To put is simpler, with the Valab, although it did sound smooth and easy to listen to, my brain was always aware I was listening to something "reproduced", and never could "suck myself" into the music, if you know what I mean.

Am I making sense?