Blackstonejd
Thanks for the step by step path to add the AIF codec.
It truly is as a WAV, but with data embedded into the files tag info. I cant tell them apart sonically although sometimes I feel as though I hear a diff but I doubt it or it could be attributable to other factors like time of day, or simple humidity.
RE Dupe files
If you uncheck the COPY to itunes folder box in your Itunes preffs, that step will cease to occur. Outputting the EAC files into the actual itunes folder in the first place also saves time and dupes from accumulating.
Of course importing them into itunes or your fav media software still needs to be done.
Also saving the cue sheet at the same time into the same place will allow you to use EAC to burn a dupe more readily.
RE Audible diffs
Vista is audibly better than either XP or XP Pro outputting the audio via USB. I have all 3 OS on different PCs. Vista sounds clearly better, regardless the media player being used. Some player software however does sound better than some other software with the file types being the same in each case.
RE More PCs?
Thats just a numbers game. PCs carry the bulk of personal confuser sales in general due to the price diffs of the two formats Apple usually being the higher priced spread.
I have little choice in this matter of confuser choices as certain software I require is not Mac compatible . Yet.
Re compariring the EAC v iTunes rips
There is an EAC forum or there was and perhaps the EAC author could input some info here also the pc audiophile editor might be able to provide some insights as to the true nature of error correction as it applies to sonic reproduction.
I tend to think the author of such Error free (reportedly) ripping software might not be entirely on the same page as us in regards to purity of the data being transcribed. I keep getting the impression the error free aspect as it pertains to ripping, is more akin to overcoming defects on the surfaces of the discs rather than attending to maintaining the purity of the audio information.
Ex. The EAC app indicates you should use both a clean and a scratched disc at one point for comparisons as well as the DATA base list of known CDs to set up the drive more accurately.
I feel the purity paradigm is a by product or an afterthought, if you will. The term purity too might well not the best one to use either, but I must admit, burning the EAC files to disc in several cases thus far have sounded better and/or as good as the orig store bought disc especially those which sounded bright or compressed in orig form.
EAC FAQ/Forum
http://www.nabble.com/Exact-Audio-Copy-(EAC)---User-f488.html
pc audiophile
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/
also Hedrogenaudio
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/
All the above sites can be helpful in answering questions regarding PC/MAC audiophile recreation.
Re improving HDD audio
Ive found merely using a laptop solves much of the issues surrounding digital sourced music. Im guessing its the DC power supply and Vista OS in my case. With desktops, I follow the same methods for audible gain I follow with components. Upgrading the power cables. Using a power cond or filter. Isolation. Outboard storage & DACs or at least outboard sound cards. Lossless file encoding, and ripping with error correction.
Ive even noticed on XP & XP pro an audible difference between placing files onto a disc formatted in FAT32 or NTFS, with NTFS being the more dynamic, and FAT being the more articulate or resolving and detailed but with less bass. (using the exact ame files, put onto different partitions.) FAT also is cross platform so its easier to swap files about from a MAC to a PC or vice versa.
RE error correction
As to the numbers being logged and their comparisons well, its a more simple matter for me. I just go by the outcome. Does my use of ABCs error correction sound better than XYZs error correction? If so, I will use ABC. If not
The ears have it usually. Naturally, the more resolving and articulate the system, the easier it is to notice these diffs and I do mean diffs. Better keeps getting defined and re-defined, all the time.
Now if I could just find software that will allow me to rip CDs into 24/96 or higher word lengths and bit rates with error correction as well.