How to rip 20-bit CD(and retain all 20bits) Options

[ben]

I have a 20-bit Telarc CD, and would like to extract it onto my computer. However, I'm not really sure how to go about this without having the WAV truncated to 16-bit. I only have a 16bit soundcard right now, so it's going to get chopped off anyway, but I just want the original, unaltered music in the file.

Any ideas?

[tigre]

http://www.apogeedigital.com/pdf/UV-1000.pdf

...
Unlike bit mapping and noise shaping systems,
it doesn’t attempt to lower the noise level at the
‘most audible frequencies’ at the expense of transparent
operation. Instead, the noise floor is left at the theoretical
16-bit level – but you can hear clear, undistorted detail as
low as 30 dB into the noise.
...
Features & Benefits
• UV22: a unique, industry-acclaimed process
• Allows information beyond the 20-bit level to be
encoded into a 16-bit medium such as CD
• Improves any CD playback system – no decoder
• Completely ‘Red Book’ CD compatible
• Clean audio up to 30 dB into the already low (–96dB)
digital noise floor
• Noise floor is constant irrespective of input signal
• No coloration of the 20-bit source: holds detail,
sound-stage and tonal balance
...

To me this sounds like you have an ordinary audio CD that has been mastered at 24bits (or more) and dithered down to 16 bit using flat dither instead of noise shaped in a final step. I don't see anything special about this. Maybe the ppl who decided to write the remark into the booklet did and gave unwillingly an impression of their knowledge that way.

This post has been edited by tigre: May 8 2003, 14:17