ALAC/iTunes on Mac vs ALAC/iTunes on PC vs FLAC/WASAPI/Foobar2k on PC

[LouisLoh]

My setup: Lossless files > desktop PC/rMBP > ODAC > O2 am > JH13
 
Comparing ALAC/iTunes on PC and FLAC/WASAPI/Foobar2k on PC, I found a discernable difference in SQ, in favour of the latter. 
 
My question pertains to the SQ performance of ALAC/iTunes on my Retina MacBook Pro compared to FLAC/WASAPI/Foodbar2k on my PC - would it perform as comparably bad as ALAC/iTunes on PC?
 
The question that could help me better understand the differences fundamentally - why is it that Foobar2k sounds better than iTunes on my desktop PC?

 

[Shroker]

Are you testing with the same base file.? Depends on how good the recording is.

 

[LouisLoh]

Quote:

Are you testing with the same base file.? Depends on how good the recording is.

 
Yes I am. I did include tests with higher rez FLACs too but that belongs to another discussion altogether.

 

[BlackstoneJD]

First, Jriver is better than all of the above. WASAPI is foobar's advantage, but foobar is far from the best sounding, most transparent player. FLAC is just a better sounding format than ALAC. Always has been. I can't tell the difference between flac and wav but I could hear differences with ALAC.

 

[chewy4]

I believe iTunes on mac can be bitperfect. Foobar with wasapi is bitperfect as well. They should sound the same.
 
Quote:

First, Jriver is better than all of the above. WASAPI is foobar's advantage, but foobar is far from the best sounding, most transparent player. FLAC is just a better sounding format than ALAC. Always has been. I can't tell the difference between flac and wav but I could hear differences with ALAC.

FLAC and ALAC are identical once decoded. Bit for bit. They're both lossless.
 
If you're hearing a difference it would be the result of errors, either during compression or decompression. If you're hearing problems with ALAC across the board consider re-installing or getting a new media player since your current media player must not be properly decoding them.

 

[eric0531]

Quote:

 FLAC is just a better sounding format than ALAC. Always has been. 

 
Oh please. FLAC and ALAC are for all intents and purposes identical.

 

[Danthrax]

I prefer musicbee to foobar personally.