Playing apple lossless requires more effort from the processer than with AIFF as the files have to be uncompressed during playback. The faster the processor and higher amount of ram the less of a difference you will likely hear. With memory so cheap not sure why anyone would go with apple lossless. Better to have uncompressed files that require little effort from the computer for playback for best sound.
Lossless conversion format help
I need to convert either FLAC or AIFF files to WMA lossless. Can anyone recommend a program that will maintain the highest level of lossless conversion and sound quality while maintaining artist/song tags? Also would either FLAC or AIFF be appreciably better to start with?