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File format compatible with iTunes and J.River

Anyone have any suggestions for a file format that is lossless and compatible with iTunes and J.River?

I am trying to set up a server based on a PC running WinXp and using an Echo Gina sound card/breakout box. Maybe a standalone DAC will be added later.

I plan to use J.River on the PC but I forsee buying a Mac laptop or Mini in the future. So I want to rip my CD library into a format useful in JRiver but that will work in the future in iTunes.

Another question is what software package to rip the CDs. I've read about Exact Audio Copy and plan to probably use that. Is it possible to rip a cd into two file formats at one, one lossless and one compressed for iPod use?

Thanks in advance.
bmdduck

Showing 3 responses by pls1

pls1
432 posts
 
I use dbpoweramp to rip to APE for archival storage. dbpoweramp can also do lossless conversion to any format. I play APE directly using J River as my player with usb-audio.de AISO drivers to a variety of USB to DAC devices including HAG, offramp and Trends. I think this combo gives terrific sound and is future-proof.

Proving your rip is "bit perfect" at more than 99% of your tracks is harder than most folks realize (Google Digital Audio Extraction if you care). J River is a ripper is fine but not the best for compulsive types.

phil
pls1
432 posts
 
test was 2000 discs ripped.
10 consistent errors split between visually perfect and visibly damaged CDs using Plextor drives with C2 detection

Therefore 99.5% accuracy on a per cd basis and about 99% on a per track basis

Today "compulsive" industrial processes are considered imperfect at 99.999%. As I said "compulsive". supply your own confidence levels.
pls1
432 posts
 
Actually, dbpoweramp does not use the EAC engine. If you care, you can see the dbpoweramp site for details. "Spoons", the developer of dbpoweramp acknowledges the technical foundation/contributions of Plextools Pro XL and EAC but the engine and error correction approach is quite different.

These are not "theoretical" issues. The Hydrogen Audio site contains many technical threads on the differences in ripping software technology as well as the participants discovery of manufacturing defects, consistent errors due to drive firmware anomalies and software ripping errors due to an interaction of the defects on the discs, the firmware in the drive and the error correction software on the discs. These anomalies also impact the AccurateRip database. "Spoons" is also the developer of AccurateRip.

AccurateRip 2 is under re-development to address these issues because these anomalies impact AccurateRip also.

There is no need to panic, the good (JRiver) to excellent (dbpoweramp) rippers combined with a drive that outputs C2 error detection will give 99.5 to 99.9% accuracy (depending on your CD collection). Without taking extra precautions it's tough even to detect these errors. Again see Hydrogen Audio Forums if you care.

Sample sizes of a few 1000 CDs do not provide statistically significant confidence levels to prove a difference between 99.5% and "perfect"
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