What is the story with 24 bit masters 24/96 .

The final product is converted down to standard CD redbook; no CD only player I'm aware of can read and play back a 24/96 disc. I think what they've done is use 24/96 technology to get as much of the analog masters into the digital domain as they can (as Classic Records has done with its 24/96 DADs), then downsample to 16/44 standard. Reports are this sounds better than converting the analog to 16/44 in the first place, but I haven't heard the end results, and who knows if it isn't just better A/D converters being used now than in the past? Wish they'd release 24/96 DADs like Classic Records from those masters; those I'd buy.

They have been remastered at the higher bit rate but are still standard PCM. The 24/96 re-issues are generally quite a bit better sounding but DAC's do not see them as more than 16 bit. It is just like the CD's that you have that are recorded at 20 bit, just better sound.

CDs can only store 16/44 because of the PCM format. If you want to test your DAC at higher hz, you can play some DVDs and the DAC will show more than 44khz.

What about 24/96 disks Chesky? These are quoted as being 24/96 but maybe they are downsampled to only 16/44 also?

I don't believe the true 24/96 discs from Chesky can be read by a CD player; my Classic DADs can't be read by a CD player, only a DVD player. There's a difference between a 24/96 RECORDING, which can be downsampled to 16/44 redbook CD standard, and a 24 bit/96khz DISC, which needs a DVD laser and 24 bit DAC to be decoded.