AIFF vs Apple Lossless Ripping

Rabco, you can simple convert the Lossless back to AIFF without loss (no need to re-rip your collection). You could try re-ripping a few and try a checksum on the file and it should be identical.

Most of the differences (if at all) between AIFF and Lossless seem to come from the on the fly conversion from Lossless into PCM on streaming a file, the additional noise introduced etc.

Restock,
Probably no theoretical advantage in converting Lossless to AIFF, as the source material done first in AIFF would be a larger file (more "information", audible or not).
If the missing data made a difference I could hear (an improvement), I'd consider re-ripping the collection. It certainly wouldn't be the first time!

Rabco, If there is no theoretical advantage in converting, why do you think AIFF files have more information?

Sidssp,
I was under the impression that ripping a cd into AIFF results in a larger data file (more information), than ripping a cd into Lossless. Smaller file, less information, despite the Lossless name.

I wasn't sure I understood why you would want to convert Lossless (smaller file) into a "larger" file format--AIFF.

Seems to me if you're going to do anything, it's get the larger file in the first place, if its really sonically superior.

Or am I confused and don't know it? ;-)

I am not a respected listener - I make no claims to golden ears at all.

I have tested redbook CD versus Apple Lossless (burned from said CD with error correction on) using a Toslink remote switcher (so without getting up from the listening chair).

I could not hear a difference - I tested about 30 tracks various types of music. I was using iTunes 9.01 - obviously a bug in a certain version of iTunes might cause errors - so my comments only apply to the version I tested and on a Mac Mini using Leopard latest operating system (but not Snow Leopard).