Ripping CDs to lossless in Itunes.. HiFi approved?

Gw,

Check out Wavelength Audio and Ultra Fi Audio's websites. Both of these guys are super high-end audio manufacturers of SET amps and USB DACs (interestingly they both live here in Cincinnati).

Both of them use simple Apple Lossless ripped to iTunes on a Mac. Both of them could use whatever they want, but they choose the simple Apple Lossless and a Mac connected via USB to their DACs. This is what they use at shows where they are putting their best possible product forward in order to sell their product lines.

I think that is a pretty good endorsement of Apple Lossless via iTunes. BTW, I think they both overwhelmingly prefer Mac over PC for ease of use and sound quality. However I think they also both say the PC sounds good if you use Windows Vista.

Enjoy,

TIC

No..nothing wrong with them...and believe me, I wouldn't have tolerated a sonic compromise (and I was absolutely expecting one). Futher, with the added benefit of using the USB connection (if you are using an IMAC...don't use the headphone Optical route)... the sound quality is outstanding. There are reportedly technical reasons for the USB superiority...To the point that some feel an IMAC with a decent USB capable DAC could ecclipse the perfomance of all but the most expensive stand-alones.

In my opinion, totally hi-fi approved...I will never go back to dedicated CD players...never!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I have no trouble believing that hard drive based audio can be as good or better than standard spinning a disc in real time, I just wanted to make sure that the Itunes importer doesn't have any problems with error correction or anything. I don't want to have to rip twice. Sounds like it's a go!

I like the ritual of playing CDs so I'll continue doing that, but my plan is to be ripping my CDs (and my vinyl at some point) in the meantime mainly for my Ipod (used in car and traveling), and to be able to try hard-drive based hifi at home when the time is right (either through a wavelength dac, modded sb/transporter, or empirical audio solution)

FYI - I'm actually ripping on a PC (to redundant terabyte drives), but I use Itunes because of its Ipod/Iphone integration, and clean UI. I use a Macbook laptop also, but that's not where I do my ripping.

Thanks again.

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As I understand Larry Moore regarding this subject, he prefers the MacMini over the Macbook, etc., and as best I remember, he says that the MacMini has a better audio quality than the other Mac models.

Please understand that I am stating this to the best of my recollection... btw, I followed his advice in this regard, and I am very pleased with the result.

He also recommended ripping to iTunes using Apple lossless, and I am really wondering about my stand alone CDP... the DAC/MacMini playback is so excellent, easy to use, and offers lots of other multimedia opportunties.

:) listening,

Ed

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