WAV versus FLAC

" ...the quality with FLAC (and other lossless formats) greatly varies on different computer configurations. So it looks like it is indeed a computer issue"

Hmmmmmm, I did my "fun" experiment using relatively powerful CPU - Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Quad Core), ASUS Rampage III motherboard with SATA3, 12 GBytes of RAM and a SATA3 Hard Drive etc - hardly a typical "slow" computer having audible problem in FLAC processing.....

Of course, very obviously that problem lies not with bit-by-bit file but with hardware and/or software involved or may be satan involvment.

While, I "ripped" using EAC, the payback was Media Monkey
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" some, like Simo, above hear it regularly enough to ID file types...or at least tell the difference."

Oh no dear. I don;t have music server yet. Just I read so much that FLAC and WAV sound (or should sound) identical that the statement of contrary from the highly respectable professional audio engineer "forced" me to post original question - just curiocity, nothing more -this why this forum exist.

This small experiment of mine was 10 minutes - one time shot test using my working computer NOT regular listening to music from server (as I don;t have one) and for fun only.

I, personally attribute the difference I very clearly observed to my 12 years education as the professional pianist as well as blind nature of testing with... 100% accuracy.

Speaking about nature of testing - PLEASE, do your testing BLINDLY only BLINDLY and BLINDLY only

Sorry, Ted, I think I misread:

Computers? They'll be the death of ALL of us. \\

Now, If I could just figure out how to get my AirPort Express to cooperate........

Simontju 02-03-11: I did my "fun" experiment using relatively powerful CPU - Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Quad Core), ASUS Rampage III motherboard with SATA3, 12 GBytes of RAM and a SATA3 Hard Drive etc - hardly a typical "slow" computer having audible problem in FLAC processing.....

Simon, if by any chance you have your SATA3 hard drive connected to the Marvell 6gbps SATA3 controller on your motherboard, be aware that that controller tends to be highly erratic, based on my experience and many other experiences which have been reported on the net.

I obviously can't say that that was the reason for your findings, but I certainly would not rule out the possibility. I suggest that you look at the Windows Event Viewer, and see if there are a large number of errors indicated that might be hard drive related.

A few months ago I built a computer which also uses an Asus X58 board (the Sabertooth), and the same i7-950 cpu you are using. I initially connected the SATA3 SSD I am using as the "c" drive to a Marvell 6gbps SATA3 port. After spending several days trying unsuccessfully to troubleshoot enormous numbers of errors indicated in Event Viewer, and frequent bsod's and crashes, I switched the SSD to an Intel 3gbps port, and the computer has been rock solid ever since.

If your audio file was located on your "c" drive, and if that drive was connected to a 6gbps port, keep in mind that while you were listening this issue could have affected not only the reading of the audio data from the drive, but the operation of Windows and your audio program as well.

Regards,
-- Al

Hmmmmmm, I did my "fun" experiment using relatively powerful CPU - ....

Yes, you are absolutely correct, I take this back. To my ears, the brighter top-end of FLAC remains regardless of the PC.

To me, it seems like all lossless formats have problems with the top-end extension and "life", some more, some less.

I think I will be ending my "lossless" journey here; I am sticking to WAV!

Most important: Enjoy the music!

Best,
Alex Peychev

Just finished a "shuffle play" test, 3 FLAC and 3 WAV files. To give the most difference between them, I set the Squeezebox server to send FLAC as FLAC to the player, but send WAV as PCM (default is to also send WAV as FLAC). So the player has to decompress the FLAC stream but not the stream from the WAV file.

The Squeezebox Touch feeds a Neko D-100 DAC. All cabling is Monoprice premium XLR cables. See my system for the rest of the equipment.

My test file is one I use often for auditioning equipment, the first track from Lyrita 247 (Redbook CD), Boult conducts Moeran, a track I'm very familiar with.

I couldn't identify any differences. I just guessed, and my guesses were mostly wrong. A real test would involve a variety of music and more runs, but this is already getting pretty boring.