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Originally Posted by phototristan  So I heard that Apple lossless is actually just an AAC file that is about 800kbps.
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Whoever told you that do not seem to know what he/she talk about.
Apart from the fact that they both use the MP4 container, Apple Lossless have more in common with FLAC than AAC.
It is a lossless audio codec using linear prediction. While AAC is a lossy codec using a psychoacoustic model to throw away audio data.
Since AAC is lossy you can set the targeted bitrate, and the encoder will throw away audio data to match the target as close as possible.
For Apple Lossless you have no such options. The encoder will compress the audio data as tight as the algorithm allow, resulting in files with a bitrate anywhere between 1kbps and 1411kbps (for audio CD). Although the average may be around 800kbps
Quote:
| To me, it seems there is really diminishing returns above AAC 320kbps. Sure, someone may be able to tell a difference on a really good system, etc. But is the tiny difference actually worth three times the file size? |
Indeed!
The difference in sound quality is not major, so definitely talking diminishing returns. If the last bit of information is important, or even audible, to you is not for me to tell.
