I have read that one reason higher bit DACs outperform 16bit even though the data is 16bit, is because a 16bit DAC is actually less than 16bit in actual use. Some data is lost or cut off. The higher bit DACs give the data more room, just like adding processing power or memory to your computer. There are some DAC experts like Jeff in Montreal who could probably answer this better.
Question about CD 'Resolution'
how can you tell what a cd players resolution is I see things like '24 Bit Conversion' and 'Digital Processing 24-bit' and '24/96 Dac' but then you end up finding out that the players real 'Digital Resolution' is only in actuality 20 bits.
Some companies only give the number of Bits used in the DAC, but how can you find out what the actual resolution is?
Some companies only give the number of Bits used in the DAC, but how can you find out what the actual resolution is?