[mattpwill]

In something like foobar2000, does outputting 24 bit from a CD as opposed to normal 16 bit make a difference in the noise floor and dynamic range?

Thanks for any advice.

Matt

 

[lan]

Just a terminology clarification. resampling deals with sample rate i.e. 44.1khz, 96khz not in bit depth.

If you used a lossless format with no dsp processing the output of 24bit setting would still be 16bit. for example,

4.0000 is still the same as 4.000000

If you used processing i.e volume control, it's best to use 24bit

3.9876 is not as good as 3.987654 in terms of precision.

If you're limited to 16 bit of dynamic range, that doesn't really change does it if you put it in a different container? One cup of water is the same in one cup vs in a pot. But if you boil the water (DSP processing), the cup will boil and you will lose something in the cup but not the bigger pot.

I'm eating right now. Making some tea in fact

 

[mattpwill]

Ahh, and dithering is only useful when resampling?

Selecting "fixed point 24 bit output" is only useful if processing of some kind?

If the DAC is of poor quality with 16 bits but much better with 24 bits, by selecting 24 bit output will you keep the best quality possible of the 16 bit signal?

 

[lan]

Dithering is only usefull if the data was in higher bit depths and you're going to output at a lower one such as 16bit where quantization noisee is audible. You don't need it if you are outputting 24bit since that noise is beyond audible.

If the DAC is of poor quality then it doesnt matter if it's with 16 bits, or 24, or whatever.

Using 24bit or 24bit padded to 32bit or 32bit (which ever works on your system) if your card is 24bit capable is best.