SACD finally taking-off? non-classical listeners

A mastering Question:
How is it managed to transfer larger number of digital samples to the smaller number of digital samples to meet red-book CD standard?
Let's have the case that we have two recorded samples together that need to be one sample on the CD with one amplitude that has a value of 2 bits and another amplitude has a value of 20 bits?
There are only three answers:
1. Have one sample with 2 bits amplitude
2. Have one sample with 20 bits amplitude
3. Have one sample with 11 bits amplitude(average)

In all three cases we implement a huge error transfering these samples by either loosing too much information or adding distortions and colourations.

Wouldn't that be easier to transfer it to analogue prior to mastering?

Marakanetz, your description is most likely what I heard when comparing the master digital tape against the (lower bit) Compact Disc.

By the way, the tape was only a Sony DAT plugged into the master board so Andrew would have a personal copy. I imagine the "true" mater tape from the big mastering deck was better quality still.

Obviously I agree with you that a master digital to LP is superior than converting to lower bit to accommodate CD format.

I have a good many examples of digital masters as a source in my ECM Jazz collection. Comparison between the CD and LP of the same performance prove the LP superior in every case.

Albert, I agree with you on digital vinyls. I personally possess 80% of ECM (vinyl)catalogue along with WATT. I luve these masterings and so CDs aren't bad as well.

Great for us to evolve into a discussion of ECM and thinking about the music again. I have about 70 Watt and ECM records, and maybe only 15 CD's of same.

Just as an aside, it's a common practice in the pop/rock production world to mix digitally (ProTools), but to then generate a final 2 channel mix on analog tape (1/2 inch). This is then delivered to the mastering studio where it is converted back to a digital format. People comment that the analog tape gives the music a greater cohesiveness than if left in the original digital format.

Also, it's not uncommon that once a master "tape" has left the mastering studio that the sound is degraded in the duplication factories.

Getting high quality sound mass produced is not a trivial task.