2. digital
  3. 1316558390

Has anyone did a blind test on iTunes AAC vs CD/Lo

I cannot tell a difference on any system I listen to between an iTunes download (256 aac) vs a CD track or lossless 16/44. Now my living room system is low to mid fi (Pioneer Elite). My small studio has Yamaha HS series monitors which are pretty revealing IMHO. I've also listened thru my Grados (Pioneer Elite headphone jack). I can hear artifacts in the MP3's I've listened to (slight swishy XM radio sound). But the 256 AAC sounds just as good. 98% of my music purchases are CD's. I like physical media...but the iTunes downloads sound identical. Please chime in
aberyclark

Showing 6 responses by aberyclark

aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
I've only heard a 128 Mp3 and there is a big difference over CD. I've never tried a 128 AAC
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
I'm curious to see if anyone on here, with a really high end system, can tell the difference.
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
Sorry for the bad grammar... Has anyone done" is what I meant
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
Good info. I only tested with iTunes downloads and cd. I never tried comparing a burned CD-r. Eventualli, I hope, Apple switches iTunes to apple lossless. I highly doubt it with the iCloud service coming up. I believe all iTunes material is stored on Apple's servers at full resolution. The encoding and downsampling occurs during the download process (thats what I've heard)
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
I'm the same way. I prefer physical media. I have pretty sensitive ears and can spot major compression artifacts quickly. But, i'm at a loss with an iTunes downloaded track. At least with the system I have now. I wonder if the above poster actually listened to an ACTUAL iTunes 256 AAC download. If he is hearing artifacts on those files he has some golden ears. I can id pre echo, mild wobbling or distortion with lower resolution tracks as with MP3's at 320. I know the artifacts exist on the AAC's, I just do not have the ability to hear them (yet).
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
Realremo, I do not think anyone disagrees about 128 AAC. 256 AAC is the resolution in question.
More to discover