At some point, I compared AIFF, WAV, FLAC (even a few levels), and a format or two more. I thought I could relatively consistently notice difference between DSD and others except 24/192 PCM (like from DVD-Audio). It was not a blind test of any sorts, but just a casual comparison in some spare time. I could not discern between AIFF, WAV, and any of the FLACs with any consistency. There were differences, but I could not be sure next time around so it is not worth mentioning.
What I did, and still do, notice is that CD always sounds "better" in its physical format when compared to the FLAC rip of itself played from a dedicated music server via the same DAC.
I fixed that problem by not playing CDs anymore so I do not compare anymore. The difference, if it actually exists in reality, is small enough that, without comparison, I do not feel I am missing anything while convenience is incomparably on the side of rips.
Older vinyl records do sound different to me, at least most of the time, but is it better depends on how much you like that particular "sound signature". I happen to like it on some of the days and cannot care less about it on other days. It may be my hardware, but vinyl transferred into a digital format never sounds the same as the original. But, it fits in a Walkman, SD card, and wherever else, while not being horrible. What is there not to like?
What I did, and still do, notice is that CD always sounds "better" in its physical format when compared to the FLAC rip of itself played from a dedicated music server via the same DAC.
I fixed that problem by not playing CDs anymore so I do not compare anymore. The difference, if it actually exists in reality, is small enough that, without comparison, I do not feel I am missing anything while convenience is incomparably on the side of rips.
Older vinyl records do sound different to me, at least most of the time, but is it better depends on how much you like that particular "sound signature". I happen to like it on some of the days and cannot care less about it on other days. It may be my hardware, but vinyl transferred into a digital format never sounds the same as the original. But, it fits in a Walkman, SD card, and wherever else, while not being horrible. What is there not to like?