Ripping CDs to lossless in Itunes.. HiFi approved?

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Steve, thanks for the thoughts and ideas... I'm just a little confused about what you said (confused, not trying to be contrary!) You wrote:

>>Gordon Rankin has found that the CPU speed affects the playback of Apple Lossless even though the CPU shows minimal use during play. My iMac 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo sounds the same with AIFF and Apple Lossless. My Mac Book Pro 2.01 GHz Core 2 Duo sounds better with AIFF.<<

As I read it, (just checking) are you saying that the slower processor sounds better with AIFF? Just for the heck of it, I'll give it a try... converting an Apple lossless rip to AIFF in iTunes on my MacMini... right?

I'll let you know what happens and my thoughts... thanks for your thoughts on this,

:) listening,

Ed

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btw, Steve, my Minis are 2.0 dual core 2s.

Did you mean to suggest converting existing Apple lossless files to AIFF or reripping into AIFF (which is what I am doing right now with a selected CD).

Again, thanks...

:) listening,

Ed

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Steve... shocking and true.... quite a difference. More air, quicker percussion, and more pinpoint sourcing, wow...

So now... the annoying question... do I have to rerip all of my CDs or is there a magic mouse click hidden deep in the bowels of the iTunes interface?

:0 ! listening

Ed

Ed,

The slower the CPU, the worse Apple Lossless will sound. Faster CPU, no difference between AIFF and Apple Lossless.

You don't have to rip your CDs again. iTunes can convert you Apple Lossless to AIFF. You can then delete your Apple Lossless files if you don't want them. If you are using iTunes 8.0 do the following:

Select Preferences; General; Import Settings; Change to AIFF. Select the songs you want to convert. Click the Advanced menu and you will see "Create AIFF version.

iTunes cannot convert 24 bit stuff. It changes it to 16 bit. This should be no problem with CDs.

Steve

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Steve... thanks... I am sure other readers appreciate your suggestions as well.

I noticed that the Apple Lossless rip sounds more "tube-like" on my ss system (and slightly veiled when compared directly to the corresponding AIFF rip).

On my 7591 tube system I noticed a dramatic improvement in clarity, presence, "musicality," as well as speed (go figure!) using AIFF when compared directly to the corresponding Apple Lossless rip.

So now I am wondering if Dave Matthews is right... "too many choices...". Anyway, thanks... thanks very much!

:) listening,

Ed

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