WAV Files

Posted by: The Meerkat on 24 May 2012

Anyone assist please...
I have just downloaded a couple of Paul McCartney Hi-Res albums in 24 bit WAV format. And of course there is no artwork and very little Metadata, including the artist himself. I have tried converting the files to FLAC, but this reduces the file sizes by about two thirds, and still does not produce the artwork. I assume that the small file sizes reduces the quality as well. Is there anyway of keeping the original 24 bit WAVS and get the missing Metadata? The files are downloaded to my NAS for playback through my UnitiServe SSD.

Thank you
Posted on: 27 May 2012 by Geoff P
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

David, I don't do audio stuff on my Mac, I do all that on my PC.. To me the PC does audio tasks better.. 

Now I use dBpoweramp as my encoder. Some have had success running this in a windows virtual machine on thier macs I believe.

Simon

I use 'Parallels' which creates a virtual machine on my Mac Air to run Windows XP and inside that I run dBPoweramp using a USB attached CD/DVD drive to rip. The format conversion software in dBPoweramp works fine as does actual ripping. Only drawback is you have to have a PC running windows to 'clone' or a genuine copy of one of the Windows operating systems to install and activate with its user code, to get started.

 

Geoff

Posted on: 28 May 2012 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Hello David 

 

XLD will change the format of FLAC files to ALAC, AIFF or WAV,

 

Decibel will play FLAC on MAC beautifully through a Mac Mini/Naim DAC

 

iTunes will play ALAC, AIFF and WAV beautifully through a Mac Mini/Naim DAC - I use the BitPerfect app to match the sample rate automatically. 

 

The UQ seems very happy with FLAC from my Vortexbox - I've never had the stutter. I don't use WAV at all because VB likes FLAC and my Mac likes AIFF/ALAC - nothing wrong with WAV except for the way it stores metadata/artwork not working well for me in my set-up. Though as I associate WAV with Windows, I haven't persevered. 

 

However, if tracks on album stalled with my preferred format then I'd convert it to WAV if that worked better - I'd just choose whatever worked best. 

 

That said, I expect the NDS to format agnostic, as I primarily want to play music in what ever format it comes in. I'd like it to just work.

 

The other thing I need to be assured of with a Naim streamer is I never need to use a Windows PC with it, as for me this would be show-stopper. I must admit one option for me is to trade in my Naim sources for Linn KDS or another streaming solution if use of the NDS is reliant on the use of Windows. I don't see why it should be, but I need conformation it is not; the Sonos updates without a glitch so surely a considerably more expensive unit from Naim can.  

 

All the best, Guy 

Thank you Guy

 

Can't remember what album, or in what format that stalled. Will try to remember if it happens again! I have it on good authority that a DTC for Mac, is coming very, very soon.

I have had a reply from 'Topspin', on why their Hi-Res downloads are only in the WAV format. This is what they quoted... 

 

"The Hi-Res files are in WAV format to preserve the audio quality and do not contain all of the metadata as a result. For your convenience, I have created time-sensitive links for you to download your files in FLAC format here".


It appears that they are suggesting that WAV is superior to FLAC?


David

Posted on: 28 May 2012 by The Meerkat

Guy, I meant to say...

 

My UnitiServe SSD rips the CDs in WAV by default. Guess you may be able to change the format where the files are stored, directly from the NAS, but if it's the UnitiServe HDD version, I don't think you can change the format...Not sure really.

 

David

Posted on: 28 May 2012 by Prubast

David

 

Do not mess with the files contained in the " music store"  - the location where the data from cd's ripped on your unitiseve is stored. If you do, you risk corrupting the database which will make you sad and we don't want that. 

 

Mess around all you like with the "Network Shares" - other folders where you keep your downloads

Posted on: 28 May 2012 by The Meerkat

Prubast

 

Have no fear, wouldn't dare touch them!!