Confused about DVD-A

If you are not an early adopter or just curious, then wait a year and see how things go. Both DVD-Audio and SACD can sound very good when mastered and played back correctly. Much of the current confusion occurs because of the differences in quality of players available for each format and because of the limited quantity/quality of software.

As far as two-channel versus multichannel, most people currently listen to both formats in stereo, not in multichannel. But I have been extraordinarily impressed with the improvement in musical communication with multichannel, and I believe the future lies here, even if not the immediate future.

Sorry to add to your confusion but there is a difference between DVD-A and DVD Audio. DVD-A may not be compatible with early generation DVD players. DVD Audio and SACD is not compatible with early generation DVD players. Some mid generation players down sample the 24/96 of DVD-A to CD red book before allowing digital output. To the best of my knowledge neither DVD Audio or SACD permits digital output at all. There are only a few players that can play all of these formats (never mind all the other ones HDCD,CD/R,CD/RW ,DVD/R,DVD/RW,DVD RAM,ETC.,ETC.). You can stick with a 2 channel system, at least for now.

CDs going the way of the dinosaur? Don't bet the rent. Neither new format has demonstrated the capacity to reach critical mass in the marketplace. Might happen, but I'd advise you to be as cautious with them as you were with CDs in the first place.

On your multichannel question, yes you can listen to multichannel disks on a two-channel system. Just understand what is happening: The multichannel recording is being "remixed" for two channels, according to either specific instructions on the disk or a generic formula used by your player. (At least, both approaches were supposed to be technically feasible; I don't know how this has worked out in actual practice--perhaps someone else can bring us up to date.) I've always been a little leery of either approach, but I haven't listened closely enough to 2-channel mixdowns yet.

Well I have a DVD/DVD-A player and have to say that on the sound of the two discs that I bought I would say that with the cost of these discs and the difference in performance ( ERIC JOHNSON DVD-A DISC MOST EXCELLENT SOUND but the FOREIGNER 4 disc somewhat disappointing) that it is probably not worth it yet but promising new format !
However in Stereophile April issue article about Musical Fidelity A324 DAC stated that their new DAC makes a standard cd almost as good as a SONY SACD then I would have to say that cd is not dead and with only a handful of DVD-A , SACDs that cd will be with us a lot longer!!!!!

I've read similar claims regarding the very near SACD sound for the Gamut CD-1 and of course the Audio Aero Capitole 24/192 (with the STARS system)

I'm sure the above players sound great and very smooth, BUT...I really don't see how they could *technically* sound as good as a well done SACD or DVD-A disc played on an equally well built SACD or DVD-A machine. I don't think that's physically possible. They may extract the most info from a 16/44.1 redbook CD, but the real issue lies in the fact that some of the info from the original recording never made it onto that 16/44.1 CD...that's the problem. The format itself is limiting. It's not like the information is hidden somewhere on that 16/44.1 disc...just waiting for the ultimate DAC to discover it...it's just not there. The SACD and DVD-A formats are capable of capturing and storing that information from the very beginning ...that's the advantage of newer, better digital technology. I'm sure many of the new, expensive redbook CDPs and DACs do an excellent job with redbook CDs, but they're still just polishing turds. :-) Don't get me wrong...I happen to own about 2,000 of those turds...I'm all for the betterment of that technology, but I think it's unrealistic to say that any redbook player could sound as good as an equally well made SACD or DVD-A player. They can probably say that now...comparing their $4000-$8000 CDPs and DACs against a $1000 Sony or Panasonic, but there's no way that comparison will hold up when hi-end audio companies begin to make their own SACD and DVD-A players using comparable parts and technology.