WAV versus FLAC

As an aside, AIFF DOES store metadata, which is why I considered it....basically WAV without the hassle.

Not this again, the person that said "The first is that any difference is due to the extra load placed on the processor in decoding the FLAC file." is right.

People that argue about the formats do not under stand how it works, it is just a different way of writing the information. An example is below.

Example:

WAV= 1111222233334444

FLAC= 1.4,2.4,3.4,4.4

Both say the same thing but you can already see how the FLAC file has a shorter word length and will be a smaller file. If FLAC or Apple Lossless do not sound the same as WAV on your system do not blame the file.

Aplhifi,

You said "IMO again, Monkey's Audio and Apple Lossless are superior and much closer to uncompressed WAV, but they still lack the top-end information (air) of uncompressed WAV which still sounds best to me. " I do not want an argument but I would test your ears and equipment before speaking about the last bit of air... follow the link and SORRY if it makes you sad....

Test tones from 8khz-22khz

I do not want an argument but I would test your ears and equipment before speaking about the last bit of air... follow the link and SORRY if it makes you sad....

I'm pretty sure you'd be the only one questioning Alex's equipment here.

On the test site you linked, I could hear 18khz but barely 19khz. I don't believe that is accurate as I don't think my hearing is quite that good as my ears have been around for five decades now. On previous tests (not from the site you linked) last year I could otherwise get to 17khz, and no further. So you are suggesting that because we loose some of our ability to hear the highest frequencies as we age that we are also no longer qualified to make judgments about how well as system/component delivers high-end information? That would probably leave the majority of the folks posting here, the majority of the staff at most of the rags (FWIW), as well as many of the most respected manufacturers of high-end gear at a tremendous loss.

Jax,
Yes that is some what my point. If there is a difference in the formats it will be at the extreme highend of the frequency. Not sure many of us really (myself included) here it anyway.

I guess my point is the difference is very small, and our systems (and ears) have much bigger issues.

I know my system does not put out anything above 17khz. With Sennhizer 650 headphones I hear to 19 but on my speakers it is dead after 17khz.