ALAC vs. FLAC

[bigshot]

I have yet to find anything I can throw at my mac mini and not have it handle beautifully... It hosts a music library with two years worth of music on it. It serves hidef video to my projection system. It has 75TB of online storage. It plays any file format I want. And it does all of that simply and intuitively. Can't complain about that.

 

[FiJAAS]

I really liked the X5 when I was in the test trial.  It drove my Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones very well.  I own the X3 currently and like it a lot.  The X5 just felt like a better design to me ergonomically speaking.  It reminded me a lot of the iPod Classic's shape, but it has better sound, you're not tied into iTunes, it can play pretty much any format that I could throw at it.  I almost like the X5 more than my X3 just for the extra capacity it can carry and I liked the design more. 

Now the iPod.  It has more capacity, 160gb compared to the X5 which can carry 2 microSD cards for a total of 128gb.  It will not play FLAC without installing Rockbox - which can be done on the 7th Gen.  Running out to that E12, I'm not sure how it would sound.  Without that, the X5 sounds better. 

My choice would probably be the X5.  Mostly for the better sound quality and not being tied into iTunes.  Oh and the X5 can output resolutions past 16/48 if you have any of those 24-bit files you might want to play.

I thought that rockbox was unfinished on the ipod 7th gen ?

 

[hogger129]

I thought that rockbox was unfinished on the ipod 7th gen ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5V9lEsd5To

 

[FiJAAS]

I have a question?
I ripped all of my CDs to 16/44.1 ALAC using XLD.
I wish to transfer them to my iPod using iTunes.
The question is, is it true itunes converts the ALAC file to AAC when transferring them to an iPod?
How can I transfer ALAC files to my iPod correctly?

 

[hogger129]

I have a question?
I ripped all of my CDs to 16/44.1 ALAC using XLD.
I wish to transfer them to my iPod using iTunes.
The question is, is it true itunes converts the ALAC file to AAC when transferring them to an iPod?
How can I transfer ALAC files to my iPod correctly?

 
No, it will import them as ALAC.  Just make sure your iPod is not set to "Import Higher Quality Songs as:"  As long as this box is unchecked, it will sync them up as ALAC.  My only caution is that lossless really is pointless when you have limited space like an iPod.  Contrary to what some say, vbr AAC is actually sounds pretty good compared to cd-quality lossless.

 

[bigshot]

AAC at a sufficient bit rate is audibly transparent. Human ears can't discern a difference between it and lossless.

 

[FiJAAS]

No, it will import them as ALAC.  Just make sure your iPod is not set to "Import Higher Quality Songs as:"  As long as this box is unchecked, it will sync them up as ALAC.  My only caution is that lossless really is pointless when you have limited space like an iPod.  Contrary to what some say, vbr AAC is actually sounds pretty good compared to cd-quality lossless.

Thanks again!

 

[hogger129]

  AAC at a sufficient bit rate is audibly transparent. Human ears can't discern a difference between it and lossless.

 
It is.  I can't tell a difference if I ABX test in foobar2000.  All my CD's are backed up as FLAC and then I just make LAME V0 MP3 versions for my Sansa.

 

[FiJAAS]

Guys, as you know I'm in the process of ripping all of my CD's to ALAC. I'm on the verge of purchasing the iPod Classic 7th Generation and the Beyerdynamics DT-770 250 OHM. As you know I stated that I would purchase the Fiio E12, but do you guys think also if I add JDS Labs Standalone DAC would it be a perfect fit with the three?

 

[Mambosenior]

Does the JDS accept digital output from IPod Classic?

 

[FiJAAS]

Does the JDS accept digital output from IPod Classic?

Not sure, I couldn't find anything about the iPod Classic on there.

http://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac/

 

[Roly1650]

Guys, as you know I'm in the process of ripping all of my CD's to ALAC. I'm on the verge of purchasing the iPod Classic 7th Generation and the Beyerdynamics DT-770 250 OHM. As you know I stated that I would purchase the Fiio E12, but do you guys think also if I add JDS Labs Standalone DAC would it be a perfect fit with the three?

The iPods, iPads and iPhones are audibly transparent devices into the vast majority of headphones and iems and would match the DT-770's fine. The JDS Labs dac will neither add or subtract anything audible to the listening experience, so why bother. Also, if the iPod Classic drives the DT-770's to a loud enough level for you, which they probably will, you won't need an external amp either, if you're after a neutral sound signature.

 

[bigshot]

Roly nailed it.

 

[FiJAAS]

The iPods, iPads and iPhones are audibly transparent devices into the vast majority of headphones and iems and would match the DT-770's fine. The JDS Labs dac will neither add or subtract anything audible to the listening experience, so why bother. Also, if the iPod Classic drives the DT-770's to a loud enough level for you, which they probably will, you won't need an external amp either, if you're after a neutral sound signature.

I'm sorry I meant JDS Labs C5 Headphone Amplifire vs. Fiio E12.

 

[Roly1650]

I'm sorry I meant JDS Labs C5 Headphone Amplifire vs. Fiio E12.

Same logic applies, if the iPod is driving the headphones to a safe adequate volume, the additional headphone amp is not adding anything to the equation. Use the money saved on more music.