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Apple Lossless Encoder - Audiophile Quality?

Is Apple Lossless Encoder the best format to use to import music into iTunes?

My goal is to get the highest quality music regardless of cost.

I want to get the best that I can get of a CD so that I won't have to re-import my music from the same CDs in 5-years.

I am using a Mac based system, but I don't think that should make any difference.
hdomke
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Apple lossless is a bit for bit encoding process that many claim is indistinguishable from the original file. That said, why use data compression at all? Use AIFF.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,243 posts
 
Rip it both ways and see what you hear. I can't tell the difference myself, and haven't talked to anyone who has been able to, plus it will save you about 30% hard drive space.

The only difference with using a Mac based system is it won't crash and you won't loose everything one day :)
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
291 posts
 
I've been using Apple lossless for some time now and am very satisfied with it. It does do bit for bit reconstruction. This seems to be confirmed by my DAC--when it receives tracks that are from HDCD CDs, the indicator lights up, which to me is pretty strong evidence.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
I use Applelossless - it works as far as I can tell.
ncarv
974 posts
 
FWIW, at a seminar at The Home Entertainment Show in NY last year, I believe John Atkinson, Stereophile's editor, said Apple lossless is the way to go.
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