Quote:
Originally Posted by
a_recording 
Well you'll actually get less songs then that even, because the iPod touch's software/firmware will be taking up some space.
I wouldn't put my entire collection in lossless on the player, just a selection of songs that you think lossless will actually make a worthwhile difference for listening on the go.
I think there is a difference between lossless and say AAC, in that lossless just sounds a bit more transparent, but for portable listening its hardly noticeable.
If you are using iTunes to rip, rip into AAC and not mp3. As I understand it, the iTunes mp3 encoder is pretty poor. Rip into lossless for archival purposes or home listening :D
Is the Apple MP3 encoder still as bad as it used to be? I think several years ago it was just awful, but I feel like it's gotten better...I still use it for iTunes purchased songs, and I import my CDs using Apple Lossless and FLAC...obviously those sound better than MP3 or AAC, but I've never really taken the time to A/B the two lower quality versions...
Edit: Okay, so I ripped 2 AAC files into MP3 to see if there was a difference. I guess the only way to describe it is that the original AAC file had a little more body. I could sort of tell, especially with stringed instruments, that the twang of the chords seemed to be more present in the iTunes AAC version as opposed to the MP3 version created with the Apple encoder. Now with a portable source, I doubt one would be able to tell the difference, but for home listening you may as well go with the AAC format.
To the OP, Apple Lossless and FLAC is definitely worth it for your home source, but I'm not entirely convinced that it's totally worth it for a DAP. I think with classical, jazz, or anything that that really benefits from soundstage and instrument separation, FLAC/Apple Lossless is worth it, but with club music or rock, I'm a little less enthusiastic...but it definitely can't hurt!
Edited by usf09 - 5/12/10 at 6:56pm