confused on audio file formats

4est - As I said on the other thread, I uses MAXX to rip and Squeezeserver to catalogue and play. I started out many years ago using iTunes and still store most of my library in iTunes. I don't use iTunes to manage FLAC files. I did not suggest that either here, nor in the other thread. I made it very clear here that if the OP were using iTunes I'd suggest using AIFF. I agree with your here, as I did in the other thread: Stay away from WAV as it's more trouble than it's worth. FLAC is cross-platform, cross-device and very easy to batch convert. That is why I use it. Clear? I prefer Squeeze server because their streaming hardware (Touch and Squeezebox) are superior to the Apple alternatives (AE, Apple TV). That's my personal preference. I thought the SACD bit was interesting on face value because it refers to yet another more resolving digital format. I agree also with your suggestion to simply try the various options yourself and see what works best for you. I'd suggest that with anything in this hobby. Suggestions here or elsewhere are simply a point of departure (or not).

On a Mac I recommend Amarra 1.2 with iTunes playing AIFF file format. No reason to use lossless compression. Disk is cheap.

Also, dont use iTunes to rip CD's. Use XLD with Accurate-Rip enabled:

http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html

I dont sell any of these BTW.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Lossless is OK.....since for the 2 i'm familiar with....ALAC and FLAC, you can reconstruct a bit-accurate copy of the original. And save maybe 30% in disk space.

Well, now I'm confused! Way too many confusing ways to skin a cat.

It seems to me there would be a nice profit for someone (or company) who comes out with a simple one way solution to storing and accessing music, beit 16 or 24 bit.

For now , I have the Touch, external 1TB hardrive, and
I tunes.

Well, now I'm confused! Way too many confusing ways to skin a cat.

It seems to me there would be a nice profit for someone (or company) who comes out with a simple one way solution to storing and accessing music, beit 16 or 24 bit.

For now , I have the Touch, external 1TB hardrive, and
I tunes.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!

Seriously - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Squeezebox Touch comes pretty close to just what you are describing. It switches on the fly right up to 24/96, handles all formats, and even has a pretty OK little DAC in it to boot. Delivers low-jitter digital, and can go wireless or wired via a network. All for a bit more than $200! If you are really after the ultimate from digital just get rid of as much jitter as possible and deliver the digital signal from the Touch to a good DAC. There's are certainly ways to improve on it and get the most from it, some of which have been mentioned here. There's also ways to get the most from rips you do, again, mentioned here. In perspective, this may occur to some as splitting hairs and that's where trying it out yourself and making your own decisions comes in.

But if you like what you've got going - hell, dude, enjoy the music. Personally I'm always interested in other ways to try things and what's working for others. I'm always willing to try and listen for myself to see what works for me. It's not always the same as what works for someone else.

I agree, it's more complex than just popping a disc in a transport and pushing play. But not nearly as complex of all the more physical variables of properly setting up a perfectionist turntable rig. The real point is that the results are far more convenient and addicting in having access to an entire library of music at your fingertips, mixed and matched however you like.