Ripping to Mac OSX

Ricky,

I have a MAC Mini and I really like it, but I haven't really dived into using it as a music server yet. However, I have several friends who use a MAC Mini as a music server using iTunes and a high-end USB DAC. These are some of the absolute best sounding digital rigs I've heard, however they all are using expensive DACs, Cables, etc. and their other components are top notch.

The MAC Mini running iTunes and using AIFF file format with error correction turned on seems to be the ripping choice for all of my friend. They have very highly resolving systems and don't see any need to use anything other than AIFF (and always turn on error correction regardless of format you choose).

I would suggest you try ripping a familiar recording to AIFF, then WAV to see if you hear a difference. If no difference, pick whichever you want.

Enjoy,

TIC

Don't use WAV - you will lose album info...

I'd use AIFF or Apple Lossless.

Check Benchmark DAC1 wiki guide for iTunes setup (settings for bit transparent playback) and keep checking regularly in case a big crops up with a new iTunes version (you'll get automatic updates every month or so but sometimes a new version introduces an error)

If you turn error correction on then iTunes is apparently bit transparent when it burns your lossless files.

For ripping, take a look at Max:

http://sbooth.org/Max/

For may years I have read of the Flac format but never given it a try until recently. The programs I use are freeware and very easy to use. The ripping program is “MAX” and the playback program is Cog.

The Flac ripped music is not as easy to access but to me and my ears it sounds better.

Itunes is easy to learn and use. MAX and Cog are not as easy but through trial and error I was able to dial them in quick. I have another challenge now, ripping vinyl to flac to mac.

AIFF with error correction via itunes gets the job done easily and doesn't lose metadata(art, etc.). Apple lossless will use less space, but AIFF doesn't lose anything. Stick with AIFF. Cheers,
Spencer