Ripping software options and WAV v FLAC?

Posted by: meaculpa on 08 September 2010

Hi,

I have skimmed the forums to try and understand a little more on this subject, but in common with quite a few posters, I must admit it just fries my brain a little!

I am looking now (I think) to add a UniQute to my n-vi/NAP 200 as a "streamer" from my iMac and network drive.

I currently have itunes with Apple's loss compression (AAC?), but want to look at having the best possible source, so want to re-rip my CD's to WAV/FLAC on the network drive.

It seems that WAV is the best, but album art import has to be done separately, whereas with FLAC this an be done together. I am looking for recommendations for ripping software that will give me WAV and also some software to find album art. In addition software to rip to FLAC.

I would be interested in posters personel views on the software and any comments on my proposed choice of UniQute

Many thanks,

Andrew

Posted on: 08 September 2010 by jtktam

use the eyeconnect itunes plug in

you don't even have to do anything to your existing alac files

-joe

Posted on: 09 September 2010 by JLD

If you search for a good ripping software (to make new rip in example) you should look at Exact Audio Copy (free) and DBpoweramp... But both of these programs run under windows...

About cover art (for wav) even if a lot of programs like itune are able to find automatically images from internet, I prefer making this manually for better pictures (resolution and .jpg quality...)

Hope this helps
Jean-Luc

Posted on: 09 September 2010 by meaculpa

Jean-Luc,

Very many thanks for your advice.

After trying to get to grips with XLD and failing I have tried and now purchased dBpoweramp. I am OK as I run Windows XP under Parrallels :-)

I have started ripping as WAV (I presume I can use the batch converter to FLAC if I need to) and it works so well.

dBpoweramp does pick up the cover art with WAV, but I do not know if players/streamers will find it on playback yet.

Thanks again for your recommendation for dBpoweramp, and so far I am a converted user.

Kind regards,

Andrew

Posted on: 09 September 2010 by Eloise

quote:
Originally posted by meaculpa:
I have started ripping as WAV (I presume I can use the batch converter to FLAC if I need to) and it works so well.

Conversion WAV to FLAC and vice versa is perfect; however you may find it better to rip first as FLAC and then convert to WAV later as FLAC supports meta-data tags more fully.

You'll probably have no problems - but FLAC as an archive format is (IMO) better as it never relies on the filename / folder name which WAV can end up relying on for Artist / Album / Track Title information.

dbPowerAmp can be set up to rip to both formats at once.

Eloise

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by meaculpa

Thanks Eloise,

I have looked in the configuration and setup, but can't see how to rip both at the same time. Can you point me in the right direction?

Many thanks,

Andrew

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by likesmusic

In the 'Rip To' field, select 'Multi-Encoder'.

If you haven't got this option, go to the dBpoweramsp website, select 'Codec Central' and download the Multi-Encoder from the Utility Codecs section.

Bear in mind that if you rip to two formats, you may have to edit the tags on both rips, which can be tedious - this is more likely to be an issue for older recordings, especially of classical music.

hth