bill13

Geoff,<br /> <br /> Thanks for the info about how to display SPDIF 16 or 24 bits (using mode button).<br /> <br /> I will see if can get 24 bits audio from a DVD player, or via HDMI to Radiance video processor & connecting to the processor's SPDIF audio out.<br /> <br /> Appreciate your help.<br /> <br /> Bill

jeroen020,<br /> <br /> Sorry that I didn't reply sooner.<br /> <br /> Comparison was to my modified Wadia 2000, x64 Digimaster algorithm.<br /> <br /> I don't recall the mod details.<br /> <br /> Perhaps many will disagree: I think that the newer models aren't 'all that much better' than my modified Wadia -- just an opinion, of course. <br /> However, for some older 1980's era CDs the Wadia can sound better with it's time-domain processing (may help with old CD 'digititus') with the inherent high-frequency rolloff -- again, just my opinion (I often like the treble rolloff) . <br /> Also, some people actually prefer typical Wadia midrange presentation (so I understand).<br /> <br /> Bill<br /> <br />

Berkeley Alpha DAC: How can I tell if the the stereo audio ('48' kHz indicated on the display) digital stream is being decoded from DVDs @ 48kHz = only 16 bit word length, or full 24 bits? I can't tell if SPDIF stereo audio is 16 or 24 bits.<br /> <br /> I understand that typical movie DVDs output PCM stereo audio at 48 kHz (my Berkeley Alpha DAC display indicates '48 kHz' for DVDs, and perhaps most if not all DVD players truncate the digital word lengths to only 16 bits ? - I'm not sure though).<br /> <br /> How can I determine if the Berkely DAC is receiving 16 bits, or the full 24 bits from the digital ouput of the DVD player? - SPDIF, or Toslink)<br /> <br /> I have a Hyperion movie DVD: Angela Hewitt's "Bach Performance on the Piano" -- with her instructional lecture on how the piano student should play Bach. I connected SPDIF cable from a Pioneer DVD players digital output connector. As I recall, The Berkely DAC indicated 48 kHz when either PCM stereo, Dolby 5.1, or DTS-audio was selected in the DVD player's menu. Can anyone tell me if all DVD players, without exception, reduce the digital word length to only 16 bits for 48 kHz digital sample rate? <br /> <br /> Digital 24 bit encoding is an official format option for Dolby and DTS, but it seems that only 16 bits (truncated) digital audio word lengths is all we get from DVD players via SPDIF out? <br /> The corporations that produce DVDs mandate reduced 16 bit digital for DVD player's SPDIF stereo audio output? <br /> <br /> The usual way to get 24 bit stereo audio is high-res computer files? <br /> <br /> I also have a Lumagen-Radiance- video processor that has HDMI inputs, and outputs SPDIF stereo digital 48 kHz audio (from the HDMI). Maybe can get full 24 bits audio @ 48kHz from DVDs this way? I tried going this HDMI route, and the Berkeley Alpha DAC indicated 48 kHz -- but still couldn't determine if the audio decoding was 16 or 24 bits.<br /> <br /> I have not yet found definitive info on the internet about SPDIF PCM 16 bit Vs. 24 bit audio from DVD players. <br /> <br /> Bill

I have Berkeley Alpha DAC & LYNX AES16 computer interface card.<br /> <br /> The Alpha DAC, even by itself with inexpensive CD player digital out, sounds much better than my Wadia DAC - a surprise to me.<br /> <br /> High res files, like 24/96, etc., thru computer LYNX AES16 is best I've heard so far - price no object.