Lossless conversion format help

Lou - My point is that I think the Apple lossless files are a correct lossless representation of the original CD. Any differences you hear between ALAC and WAV is probably due to the software involved (iTunes, QuickTime, etc.) and not to the music bits in the ALAC file. The ALAC files that I have converted to WAV are identical to WAV files ripped by EAC - once you take account of the drive offset differences that you can get between EAC and iTunes. I would suggest taking one of your Apple lossless files and converting it to WAV and comparing that WAV to a file ripped directly to WAV. My guess is that the WAV files will be bit for bit identical and that they will sound the same. If you compare 2 identical WAV files and hear a difference, then that is an entirely different problem. Give it a try. You can use iTunes to convert ALAC to WAV. EAC has a option to compare WAV files and it will take into account the drive offset differences you may get using different rippers.

I moved from iTunes to J River to get away from the possible issues with iTunes/Quicktime and to get flexibility to use higher resolution files, to use ASIO and because I could customize the interface more to my liking. But I converted my ALAC files to FLAC rather than re-ripping the files. My tests in converting ALAC to WAV made me believe that I did not need to re-rip. The dbPoweramp batch converted is a great tool for doing mass conversions. It is fast and uses mutiple processors if you have them.

06-25-09: Magfan
Check your signal chain. If there are major differences between the 'lossless' formats, maybe there is another player here. ??

Good point. I plug my iPod Touch (playing ALC files) directly into my integrated amp with a Monster stereo mini-to-dual-RCA adapter. To plug my computer into the amp, I have to add a 15' stereo mini headphone extension cord. It's a Sony w/OFC copper, but still, it's a 15' longer signal chain with a lower quality wire than I use anywhere else in my systems. I'll move my computer to where I can directly plug in with the Monster adapter and see what I get.

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.