JoeyGS wrote:We have the same dilemma and here are my own thoughts and also from what I have initially read:
1. Ripping CDs because I have a collection which I want transported into my future digital Hi Def rig ---- most probably for convenience at the same time having the audiophile sound...... and another thing is preparing the eminent extinction of CD OR getting the taste of new technology in audio while I am still alive
Group buy tayo sir joey
Get one for me pag kukuha kayo sa malayong lugar
Dodie wrote:]My music source:
1. CDs. TRUE
2. FLAC, AIFF, WMA music downloads (CD and/or Studio quality)TRUE
My transports: (Currently can't afford all-in-one systems , such as, Olive, Pearchtree, etc.)FALSE FALSE FALSE
1. PC. TRUE
2. Ipod Digital transports (e.g. Wadia, onkyo nds1). TRUE
Regards,
JoeyGSGroup buy tayo sir joeyGet one for me pag kukuha kayo sa malayong lugar
rtsyrtsy wrote:JoeyGS
Before anything else, I have not tried all the rippers, all the converters, and all the other bits and pieces of digital playback so I am not in a position to tell you what's best. I followed the most popular recommendations and found that the results are sufficient for me.
Are you using Windows or Mac? Depending on your operating system, the recommended tools will differ. On Windows, I use EAC (Exact Audio Copy) to rip and FLAC itself to do lossless compression. On Mac OS, I use Max. The key things for me areRead Until Right ripping so the CD/DVD drive goes over the section of the disc that it isn't sure whether it has a 1 or a 0 and some rippers even compare your rips with an online database as another layer of insurance that you ripped the 1s and 0s as the producers intended.
Lossless encoding. I've tried WAV, FLAC, ALAC. FLAC and ALAC are indistinguishible to my ears and on my gear. If I use a memory stick plugged into my DAC, I can hear that WAV takes a slight advantage--but I have to listen hard to hear the difference. Some say that the DAC uses less processing if it is fed WAV and could perhaps explain it's slight advantage.
In case you need smaller files and must use lossy compression, my choice has been LAME to create MP3s.
M2Tech is Italian. Yung dealer ng M2Tech, mukhang Italiano kasi tisoy (Epoy, lakihan mo discount ko ha!). They make the Hi-Face (which is a USB cable and a USB to S/PDIF interface and an S/PDIF cable in one), the Hi-Face Evo (no USB cable but is a vaunted USB-S/PDIF converter which is also a DIY tweaker's delight with linear / battery power supplies, etc.). M2Tech also makes a DAC. There's also USB to S/PDIF converters like the Halide Bridge, Audiophileo, stuff from Musical Fidelity and Empirical Audio, and a bunch of China alternatives, etc. The key things for me to look for are:Asychronous USB. This ensures no (or maybe I should use the term, minimal) jitter.
Sampling rate that is acceptable to you. If I were to get one of these, I'd look for one that is 24/192 so I can take advantage of hi-res music. I think Musical Fidelity's device is 24/96--many of the budget to mid-range ones are. If all you plan to play are rips from your CDs, you need nothing more than 16/44.1.
JoeyGS wrote:@muypogi,
Just curious.... how does your airport express connect to your DAC? USB to SPDIF?
JoeyGS wrote:Thanks rtsyrtsy .... very informative indeed.
To start of with the music file formats would it be advisable to rip CDs and buy Hi Def tracks (at Linn Records or HDTracks and the likes) in FLAC or WAV format? And from the FLAC or WAV format you can further convert it into AAC, ALAC, Lame, MP3, etc.. Would this be wise in such a way that the further conversion does not in any way degrade as compared from ripping straight from the original CD?
To simplify.....which is better?
1. Rip CD into FLAC/WAV or buy FLAC/WAV or HD music files ------> convert to AAC, ALAC, Lame, MP3, etc. depending on the usage or which ever music player will be used (e.g. Ipod, PC, Laptop, other Mp3 players etc.)
OR
2. RIP CD straight into ---------> FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AAC, ALAC, Lame, MP3, etc.
JoeyGS wrote:And me.... I am using the windows environment
egay wrote:JoeyGS wrote:And me.... I am using the windows environment
Joey,
For windows, I am staying with WMA & FLAC...
but since I bought a Mac, I decided to try iTunes and ALAC and I like it even better not only for SQ but especially for managing my collections and getting the right album cover (when available in the apple library, I guess). I am now RE-RIPPING (no conversions) my collection and am at 100GB at the moment (and still going on).
I think you can play WMA & FLAC in ITunes but with additional codecs (?). I don't like using "additional" anything so I use either iTunes or VLC; I discarded all my WMAs and retained my MP3s, WAV, & FLACs. I play my WAVs & FLACs using VLC and MP3s & ALACs via iTunes (and in my iPod for mobile needs). Passing through the same DAC, the SQs are almost the same.
I made a very negative post in one of my threads regarding iTunes because I was so frustrated THEN... I realized I had ALL my files (i.e. WAVs, FLACs, WMA) converted into ALAC and THAT REALLY SUCKED... I mean, stupidly sucked! I had since corrected myself and re-ripped. I am happier.
Oh, BTW, I still have windows machines (W8 now) and I still hear my Mac sound better.
I don't know the technicalities but I am happy.
If you want the techy part, login to HYDROGEN AUDIO and read some of the most ... ().... discussions I've ever encountered concerning computer audio. well, they did help me.
.e.
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