does 32 bit make a difference over 24 bit?

I have heard very sizable differences in absolute sound quality between the 24/32 bit players and DACs I have used.

Gztone, interesting timing; I currently have my two Pathos Classic One MkIII units set up Mono and am using the Simaudio Moon Evolution 750D as source (I reviewed both for Dagogo.com) I keep getting new levels of sound quality which crush the previous one using these sweet amps. I have been using the 750D in conjunction with the Pathi as one of my favored setups for well over a year now and the combo is superb.

You are obviously attempting to get an extremely high quality sound sensibly and I think I know how to help you do so. You can contact me via the Audio Asylum website if you wish to discuss further.

Douglas:
How come I never see any used or demo 750d's or 650d's for sale here? I can't afford a new one.
Thanks
Robert

Robert, Simaudio wants to build a reputation of extremely fine sounding, very reliable gear, in which I think they are succeeding. I would guess the buyers of their products are looking for longer term components rather than a quick fix.
Also, the company does not seem to come out with updates as quickly as some other companies, so the upgrade path might be a bit slower.

I agree with almost everything Bhobba stated. Most PCs and macs are not setup to play 32-bit files; that is the few that exist. That said, I do not believe that anyone would actually hear any difference in a blind test.

I have also looked at the Chord DACs, the reviews are very good. But I simply can't get past the over-the-top retro machine look. I would prefer that they packaged their technology into simpler packaging and cost 50% less. But maybe that's just my pet peeve...

I just want to clarify what I said.

Obviously I haven't compared two DAC's that are exactly the same except one is 32 bit and the other is 24 bit - DAC's like that do not exist. And there is simply far too little 32 bit stuff around to check it that way.

What I am saying is 32 bit capable DAC's as a group do not sound any better or worse than 24 bit - nothing I can hear anyway. Obviously within both groups there are difference but as a whole I cant hear any. I will say however that 32 bit capable DAC's generally use newer chips like the SABER chip - I am not a big fan of the SABER chip - the detail it presents is a bit too overt for my taste - that's in the one SABER implementation I heard that didn't have other issues such as a cold top end and a bit of sibilance (a modified WFS fed by an Off-Ramp).

Two of the best DAC's I have heard are the Killer DAC - its 16 bit and the Chord - its 64 bit. So my suggestion is judge DAC's by how they sound in your system - not if they are 16 bit, 32 bit or even 64 bit.

Thanks
Bill