AIFF vs Apple Lossless Ripping

iTunes downloads are mp3 (120kbps?). If buying a whole album, buy the CD. If you only want a song or two, then the iTunes may make sense.

To get around iTunes digital rights, download the song, burn it to a CD, then rip said CD.

Kbarkamian,

Thank you - so everything downloaded from the iTunes store is MP3?

Re "buy the CD" do you mean the actual, physical CD - as in buy it somewhere else?

Im new to ripping I just bought a Ayre qb-9 and alas I can hear a pronouncd difference between AIFF Apple Lossless. Time to invest in a larger hard drive

Hi British, can you provide more details on your setup? I'm 'getting into' computer audio as well and want to start off on the right foot in regards to which format to rip to. I'll be using an Acer Revo 'net top' to feed a calyx 192 dac. i'm also looking into jriver media player instead of using itunes in windows. I know this topic is beaten to death and I am utilizing the search features of this and other forums, but am always receptive to any direct recommendations.

I cannot hear any difference between ALAC and AIFF but it might be placebo effect since I know that hard disk ALAC or AIFF files have no timing and in reality it takes shorter to decompress than read larger file from hard drive. Data comes in packets anyway and has no timing until it is placed in output buffers and clocked out. I hope that Al (Almarg), being computer expert, can join us and explain it better. Is it possible that something else plays part in ALAC vs AIFF playback? (different playback program, computer settings etc.) Again, I'm just trying to understand without questioning anybody's findings.