CD ripping

A .m4a file can contain either ALAC (lossless compression) or AAC (lossy compression) audio data, among other formats. Many or all versions of iTunes can create .m4a files from imported music in either of those formats. The OP should check the "import settings" that were used in creating the .m4a files, and let us know which one was used.

Regards,
-- Al

Hi @cleeds - I associated the M4a extension with ALAC only. Didn’t realize, as Al points out, that M4A can also be for AAC.  Hence ASSumed you were talking about ALAC.  Still, a general statement that M4a is lossy/ compressed is not 100% accurate given the possible association with ALAC.   No offense intended.

ghosthouse

I associated the M4a extension with ALAC only. Didn’t realize, as Al points out, that M4A can also be for AAC.

I didn't know m4a could be lossless, either. Thanks to Al for the info!
 

Hence ASSumed you were talking about ALAC.  Still, a general statement that M4a is lossy/ compressed is not 100% accurate given the possible association with ALAC. No offense intended

Quite so! No offense taken!

If the user has any IOS devices that are being synced for music playback, then consideration should be given to which file formats are compatible with iTunes. FLAC still isn't iTunes compatible. 

My library is only 27K tracks. Given the cheaper cost of storage and because I desired my files be as universal compatibility as possible - including tagging, I decided to rip to AIFF. The trade off is that my IOS devices hold fewer tracks - unless I use iTunes to convert -on the fly- when syncing. 

The library still fits easily on a 2TB drive.

Treating the CD prior to ripping should improve matters, ditto better power cord, fuse, isolating the ripper, all of these things.

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