What am I listening to, it can't be Digital?

Dear Dave_b,
I am strictly 2-Channel with a Pioneer Universal Player (DV-58AV) that claims to be able to take multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio, and downmix them to 2-Channel Output. I just don't know if this DVD-Audio Disc provides for this. If I am picking up just two Channels off of this Disc, that can't be right. This sounds way better than any Stereo 96kHz/24-bit source has a right to. The only thing I can think of is if the Recording Studio Mastered the Original Recording to take advantage of the benefit that a Multi-Channel downmix to 2-Channel might provide. They also might have provided for the advantage in 4-Channel Surround Mode as well. I am just saying that it doesn't sound like 2-Main Channels mixed with 2-Surround Channels. The forward images are more fleshed out than I have heard from any Digital Source. The Soundstage is huge, the background Instruments have harmonic content that seems to stretch off into infinity. It sounds exactly like a Record, or pretty damn close.
I am currently using the AUDIO OUT (2ch) from the Pioneer to a Space Tech Lab A-102 Vacuum Tube Integrated/Headphone Amp. This is driving a pair of Grado RS-1 Headphones. I have a whole different set-up for CD Digital Co-axial Out from the Pioneer to a separate DAC.

Ah yes, headphones...that would be part of the magic. Enjoy your fortunes:O)

I've only got two Music DVD's so I'm not real smart about this stuff but my James Taylor "One Man Band", and Cowboy Junkies "Trinity Revisited" DVD's have set up menus to change modes from 5.1 surround to 2 channel stereo. Is it possible that the "set up" menu on your DVD is set to 2 ch stereo verses 5.1 surround? By the way, the "Trinity Revisited" DVD IMHO is amazing.

The effect you are hearing is the 24 bit high resolution content of DVD Audio. You are still hearing the stereo mix unless your headphone has separate five ear buds.

Dear Dave_b
Utilizing same Pioneer with Digital Co-axial out to Space Tech Lab DAC. Balanced Output from DAC to same said Space Tech Lab A-102 Vacuum Tube Integrated/Headphone Amp. Same set of Headphones with CD, sounds very-very-good. Still can't touch the sound of this DVD-Audio. Switch to this DVD-Audio puts at least a foot more Soundstage around the ears. Don't believe its the Headphones alone.
Dear Raks,
I'm not real smart about this stuff either, that is why I am trying to find out what it is that I am listening to. The Pioneer DV-58AV has two groups of Analog Out on the back. One group is AUDIO OUT (5.1ch) and includes all of the Channels for Surround Sound including the two front Channels. The other group is AUDIO OUT (2ch) which is utilized for two Channel Stereo. I am utilizing this last Output to my Stereo. To utilize 5.1 surround, my RCA Connectors would have to at least be hooked up to the 5.1 Audio Outputs. The AUDIO OUT (2ch) is separate from the 5.1 Channel Outputs. The Pioneer Menu allows one to select activation of either the AUDIO OUT (2ch) or the AUDIO OUT (5.1ch). Switching the Mode only activates the AUDIO OUT (5.1ch), 5.1 Surround can only be accessed from these Outlets, at least that is what the Manual says. The Manual does mention Downmixing of Multi-Channel DVD-Audio Discs to 2 Channel Stereo. I am still trying to figure out if this is accessed from the AUDIO OUT (2ch)-or- from the AUDIO OUT (5.1ch) Front Two Channels. The DVD-Audio Multi-Channel Disc also has to provide access for this 2 Channel downmix as well. The whole point is that what I am hearing sounds absolutely NOT like a Stereo Channels/Surround Channels Downmix. There is nothing Surroundish about it, the envelope of the Soundstage has tons of harmonic content, not delayed Surround Processing. Forward images have twice the intensity of presence, nothing like what I have ever heard on Surround Sound Systems. It may be a Downmix of Surround Channels, but the Surround Channels are loaded with musical harmonic content, not special effects. The Recording Studio might have decided to load the Surround Channels with harmonic musical content instead of the usual Surround Sound processed stuff. No matter what the cause, it sounds about as close to an Analog Record than any silver disc has a right to be.