Would someone explain what "up sampling" means and how it can affect the sound?

I think we're getting a bit off topic here.  I agree with what most of you are saying in principle.  I don't think there is anyone who would disagree that the best way to audition any component is in your home system.  But that's not always possible.  When I was purchasing my system, I would bring my CD player to the dealer in order to have some point of reference as to the qualities of the new player compared to what I had.  Speakers are somewhat different in that you never know how they will work in your room, which is why I had a home audition before investing in expensive (for me) speakers.  So I think we all pretty much agree on this.  But what I am saying, and I'm sticking to it, at least for now, is that knowing about the mechanics of upsampling or what DAC chip is not going to matter one iota to whether you will like the player.  I know some people believe that each DAC chip has a sound, or that a ribbon tweeter is automatically brighter than a silk dome and so on.  In my experience, I have found those generalizations not to be true.  But that's me.  

But what I am saying, and I'm sticking to it, at least for now, is that knowing about the mechanics of upsampling or what DAC chip is not going to matter one iota to whether you will like the player.  I know some people believe that each DAC chip has a sound, or that a ribbon tweeter is automatically brighter than a silk dome and so on.  In my experience, I have found those generalizations not to be true.

I agree with this, Chayro, at least as a rule of thumb that is true most of the time.  It follows from my belief (shared by many others, of course) that what usually matters most in the design of an audio component is not the approach that is chosen, but how well the chosen approach is implemented.

Regards,
-- Al
 

Nice choice!  Should sound really good.  Little to loose if you don't like it for any reason.

I've heard very good things about that company.  The home audition is very prudent.  Leave it on for at least 24 hours before doing any serious listening.