"DAD" stands for "Digital Audio Disc" the 96/24 audio only discs that can only be played on latter generation DVD
player/transports. Some player/transports could only output this signal via analog outputs making the benefit of an outboard DAC moot. Shortly after the release of DAD the "promise" of DVD-Audio and SACD appeared, consequently many (consumers, manufacturers,etc,) held out for the "promise" of even better mediums rather than waste time and money on something that appeared to have imminent obsoleteness. Now that many people have the necessary hardware, perhaps we should revisit this medium. Perhaps not, if it would compromise any hope of an even better format? I don't know.
player/transports. Some player/transports could only output this signal via analog outputs making the benefit of an outboard DAC moot. Shortly after the release of DAD the "promise" of DVD-Audio and SACD appeared, consequently many (consumers, manufacturers,etc,) held out for the "promise" of even better mediums rather than waste time and money on something that appeared to have imminent obsoleteness. Now that many people have the necessary hardware, perhaps we should revisit this medium. Perhaps not, if it would compromise any hope of an even better format? I don't know.