mukund,
I am quite certain that given a choice most folks would choose to obtain a sigma-delta type converter if it could match the sample rates of the pipelined types. However, I don't believe that this will happen any time soon. The reason that I don't think this will happen is that the effective number of bits as well as the speed of any ADC is determined by the speed and settling time of the ADCs track and hold amplifier in the front end. Sigma-delta type converters usually take several hundred times faster sampling clock sources so that the 1-bit ADC which is actually internal to the parts can effectively build the code inside the part to be dispensed at an effective sample rate several hundred time slower. Anyway, parallel type pipelined converters can achieve very fast output sample rates usually limited at this point by the type of digital outputs, unless you go with ECL or PECL types and then you become more limited by the front end settling time of the T/H amp again. As for testing of an ADC, I usually test for LSB jitter with the analog input/s held to both rails. In these high speed type converters, the sampling clock purity is the gold standard to achieve. I am currently reworking a PCB whose transmission line effects have managed to couple Fsck/2 into my Fsck signal to the ADC which has the expected effect of mixing the signal not only around every Fsck, but a nice little spur around Fsck/2. I know that I have gained more information from frequency spectrum examination both of the fundamental and first alias than I ever would have from time domain data from the ADC. Are you designing a circuit that uses an ADC or the ADC itself mukund?
stelleb