Hi Sorlowski...I can't answer your question about the sound of DVD-A compared to the sound of DAD, but I do think regular DAD (DVD-V??) discs sound very good. I also think pushing that format may have been a smart way to go (considering most people have DVD players these days), but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I'm sure DVD-A may sound better (or have the potential to), but I bet DVD-A was invented because the corporation that designed the format was trying to establish a new standard format and reap the rewards. Sony and Phillips designed the standard CD format and they've made a fortune off the licensing over the past 20 years. That's why Sony wants SACD to succeed and it's why Panasonic? Pioneer?? (I don't remember) wants DVD-A to succeed. It's more about money than it is good sound.
And I'm not positive, but I do believe that there is a technical difference between DVD and DVD-A...it's not just the sampling rates. I *think* that's why DVD-A and SACD digital signals can't be output to a regular external DAC...it would have to be a special DAC that's suited to that particular format (and some people they don't output the digital signal to prevent copying, which is probably true too).
And I'm not positive, but I do believe that there is a technical difference between DVD and DVD-A...it's not just the sampling rates. I *think* that's why DVD-A and SACD digital signals can't be output to a regular external DAC...it would have to be a special DAC that's suited to that particular format (and some people they don't output the digital signal to prevent copying, which is probably true too).