playback of 24 bit and 32 bit float wav files

[lex de groot]

that would be amazing !!!

[J7N]

Windows XP might reject all files of resolution above 16 bits. I have not determined why exactly some systems are able to play them, but not others. If you absolutely must have DirectShow play these files, then install ffdshow and select uncompressed audio to be passed through this filter. You can choose just a specific floating point format.

But since you're working with pro software making such files, I don't understand why don't you use a proper audio player such as Foobar2000 for playing them.

[J7N]

Under WinXP the accepted wave(extensible) formats appear completely dependant on the sound card driver.

Here we can see E-MU 0404 playing 32-bit FLOAT / mono / 48000 Hz.