5.1 24-bit audio ripped as stereo, loss of information ripping 5.1 24-bit as stereo 24-bit Options

[akas]

Hey,

New to the whole audiophile world and I'm sure this topic has been discussed previously, albeit, I cannot find where. I have a DualDisc that I am attempting to rip using DVD Audio Extractor. There are two audio tracks on the DVD. One is 82.2 kHz, 24-bit, 6 channel and the other is 82.2 kHz, 16-bit, 2 channel. I am ripping to WAV and am only concerned about stereo. Ideally I would like to have the higher bit rate (24-bit) from surround title. Therefore the question is, what information am I losing if I rip the 82.2 kHz, 24-bit, 6 channel title to 82.2 kHz, 24-bit, stereo?

Thanks!!

[yourlord]

If you rip the 6.1 to stereo then all the discreet channels should mix down to the 2 discreet stereo channels. What you will lose is spatial information. If the track is provided as a 16 bit stereo track then the question you need to ask is who does a better job of mixing the channels, your ripping software or the mastering engineer who already did it for you.

As to the question of if you need the 24-bit resolution over 16 bit, unless you're going to be doing further mixing and mastering using that track the answer is no. The only thing you gain with 24-bit resolution is a bloated file size with no audible difference.