Apple is considering adding 24-bit version of songs.

What I'd like is an iPod Classic which could store my entire library, including 24-bit music, that I could take to hi-fi stores to try gear with but I think it would require too big a hard drive.  I do wonder exactly what music they'll make 24-bit.

Why not add lossless or 320 first?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antony6555 

Why not add lossless or 320 first?

All 3 would be awesome, but yes, I'm more interested in lossless files of any kind first.  For older albums, buying the actually CD will probably always be cheaper but for newer music, it would be nice to be able to download lossless instantly on release date

sounds like a marketing scheme by apple to feed off the general population, I bet if this were implemented, their will be people who will pay for the 24 bit stuff and listen to them with stock apple earbuds or possibly even check off the option on itunes that ends up converting all music that get's uploaded into the Ipod to a low bitrate lossy format.

I have 4 words for you...

Use the search function!

For reference... http://www.head-fi.org/search.php?search=apple+24bit

And you'd have found...

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/541292/itunes-to-introduce-24-bit-audio

and

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/541006/itunes-to-offer-24bit-lossless-downloads

and

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/541033/itunes-might-offer-24-bit-music-in-the-future

:) 

Also...http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/541279/24-bit-audio-a-con-according-to-gizmodo

This topic has been discussed in length... not to mention the whole debate on 16bit vs 24bit...

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/415361/24bit-vs-16bit-the-myth-exploded

Any more topics like this are sorta useless. 

iPods already play 24 bit files (truncating them). I think this 24 bit approach by Apple is targeted at Apple TV and home listening not for the portable idevices. On the go the extra low level bits are useless imo.

One big advantage to all this could be the possibility of an optical out on the iPod.  If Apple starts to care (or claim to care, even if it's a marketing tactic) about audio quality, they might also realize the benefit in making the iPod not only a portable music player but a high quality transport so you can enjoy those 24-bit files on your home system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ 

One big advantage to all this could be the possibility of an optical out on the iPod.  If Apple starts to care (or claim to care, even if it's a marketing tactic) about audio quality, they might also realize the benefit in making the iPod not only a portable music player but a high quality transport so you can enjoy those 24-bit files on your home system.

The iPod already is (and has been for a while) a "high quality transport". Just look at products like the Wadia Digital docks. They all use the digital outputs already in the dock connector. It makes little difference if they're wired or optical. In fact, some audiophiles argue (wrongly) that wired S/PDIF is superior to optical (they're largely the same).

As for the whole 24 bit thing, my personal view is it's just a way for Apple to try and sell more content in the iTunes store and have one more feature to hype. I doubt there will be any audible benefits. Right now even the 16 bit iPods can't manage true 16 bit performance due to other limiting factors. So adding a 24 bit DAC does little except perhaps make the digital volume control work a bit better at low volumes.

As a physical medium, proper 75 Ohm coaxial connections are going to to be electrically superior, but that is off-topic.  I agree though, for most people there is technically no audible benefit. If it does encourage better mastering in recordings that will be good, however.