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Could there be a loss of quality when I do this?

post #1 of 18
8/3/09 at 9:54pm
Thread Starter 
I rip my CDs with EAC into flac files. Then I convert those flac files with dbPowerAmp into ALAC files. Then I import these Alac files into iTunes. Last step I convert these ALAC files into new ALAC files using iTunes because iTunes ALAC files are smaller than dbPowerAmps.

Could this be degrading the quality of my original rip? Your opinion needed. Thanks
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post #2 of 18
8/3/09 at 9:58pm
In theory, no because they're lossless files. But, if one of the encoders is a little screwey, maybe. It's tough to tell. Try comparisons.
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post #3 of 18
8/3/09 at 9:58pm
Why not use EAC to rip to WAV and then use iTunes to convert to ALAC?
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post #4 of 18
8/3/09 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kamcma View Post
Why not use EAC to rip to WAV and then use iTunes to convert to ALAC?
cause the id3 tags wont be saved
I've been talking headphones with you for years. Now I can help you with your purchase:) Sales Specialist & Headphone Guru @ Headphones.com
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post #5 of 18
8/3/09 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kamcma View Post
Why not use EAC to rip to WAV and then use iTunes to convert to ALAC?
He needs tagging. I remeber reading another post where he said that. Sorry dave, I can't help
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post #6 of 18
8/3/09 at 10:40pm
Thread Starter 
Maybe I should just use foobar?
I've been talking headphones with you for years. Now I can help you with your purchase:) Sales Specialist & Headphone Guru @ Headphones.com
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post #7 of 18
8/3/09 at 10:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post
Maybe I should just use foobar?
I guess you could give it a try.

Why not rip direct from iTunes? Have you been having trouble with it?
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post #8 of 18
8/4/09 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by salannelson View Post
Why not rip direct from iTunes? Have you been having trouble with it?
Because IME, itunes doesn't have the greatest ripper in the world. Also, there is no rip transparency, and assuming that I want to do it right, I'm going to want to see the logs.

Also, I don't use it because I'm not really a big fan of limiting myself to Apple codec, along with the fact that I'm unsure as to the lasting power of ALAC. My archive rips will stay open source, and I know I'm not alone in this one..so as far as Dave is concerned, his archives could follow suit for maximum compatibility.
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post #9 of 18
8/4/09 at 2:56pm
If nothing goes wrong the audio data should end up without loss.
But with all those steps there certainly are higher chance that something go wrong in the chain though.

I would set up EAC to encode directly to Apple Lossless..., but that is just me.
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post #10 of 18
8/4/09 at 3:49pm
x2 on EAC to Apple Lossless
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post #11 of 18
8/4/09 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
If nothing goes wrong the audio data should end up without loss.
But with all those steps there certainly are higher chance that something go wrong in the chain though.

I would set up EAC to encode directly to Apple Lossless..., but that is just me.
how do i do this?
I've been talking headphones with you for years. Now I can help you with your purchase:) Sales Specialist & Headphone Guru @ Headphones.com
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post #12 of 18
8/4/09 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post
how do i do this?
With the help of iTunesEncode, calling iTunes to encode the tracks.

I have no personal experience with it, as I am using Mac OS X most of the time, but quite sure you find what is needed in here:
iTunesEncode.exe: Use EAC or Foobar to make Apple Lossless Files - SH Forums
iTunes Encode - New version - Hydrogenaudio Forums
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post #13 of 18
8/4/09 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
With the help of iTunesEncode, calling iTunes to encode the tracks.

I have no personal experience with it, as I am using Mac OS X most of the time, but quite sure you find what is needed in here:
iTunesEncode.exe: Use EAC or Foobar to make Apple Lossless Files - SH Forums
iTunes Encode - New version - Hydrogenaudio Forums

I've worked with this program before and it can be spotting depending on the speed of your computer, but overall, good.
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post #14 of 18
8/4/09 at 10:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post
Could this be degrading the quality of my original rip?
Absolutely not. For an example, try winzipping a file and then uncompressing it, then compressing it with rar, winzipping that archive, and then extracting the whole mess. Once you go lossless, every little bit stays intact
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post #15 of 18
8/4/09 at 10:56pm
It does seem odd that iTunes and DbPoweramp would have different file sizes for the same Codec, though, does it not?
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