ALAC is compressed. That file size is about 40% smaller than AIFF and can't be played directly. It must be processed to re-create the 16/44.1 data just like iTunes must decompress ALAC before it can play it.
As I understand it the streaming computer takes the AIFF file and compresses it into ALAC so less data must be transmitted., streams it to the AE, which decompresses it to 16/44.1. There are some who feel this active compressing/decompressing degrades the sound.. otherwise why have AIFF at all? Others say this is nonsense and the sound is identical since the data is identical.. I suppose like most things you would have to try it and see if you can here a difference.
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As I understand it the streaming computer takes the AIFF file and compresses it into ALAC so less data must be transmitted., streams it to the AE, which decompresses it to 16/44.1. There are some who feel this active compressing/decompressing degrades the sound.. otherwise why have AIFF at all? Others say this is nonsense and the sound is identical since the data is identical.. I suppose like most things you would have to try it and see if you can here a difference.
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