24 vs. 16 bit on DVD-A with RSX1055

[hal]

I had a chance to audition a Denon 2900 with the Rotel RSX1055. I was very impressed by red-book playback as well as SACD & DVD-A. I realized after returning the 1055 that the Denon had been set to output only 16 bit for DVD-A so when I listened via the coax cable I was not at full resolution. Can anyone comment on the differences in sound?

Related question: does either the Denon or the Rotel upsample red-book CD to 24 bit?

[med]

I own the same combo, and I am quite sure that neither upsample redbook CDs. They don't advertise it anyways. However, I found the 2900s DACs to sound a little bit better for redbook playback. Hard to describe HOW it was better... just better IMO

[eelco74]

I might be wrong, but as far as I know multichannel DVD-A is only available via the 5.1 channel output. If you use the digital output the surround mix is downmixed to 2 channels, and this sounds horrible.

So for the best possible sound, you should listen via the 5.1 analogue output. 2 channels dvd-A might work via the digital connection. However I am quite confident that the 2900 DACS work better then the 1066 dac's.

I have never found evidence that the 2900 upsamples redbook CD's, like for instance the Philips 963SA.