Converting MP3 to Apple Lossless

The data is gone, you cannot get it back by converting to lossless so leave them as they are.

Contrary to popular theory you are allowed to enjoy MP3s

Just what i thought thanks. 

I do enjoy MP3's!!

And for most of my music its fine, but there are a few albums and songs that i have, i would like to keep "original" so ill just do those i think.

Thanks again 

"Do" what?  If you mean convert mp3 to Apple lossless, you honestly aren't doing anything other than fooling yourself   If you want the full spectrum of musical info, you have to get the cd's and rip them to Apple lossless yourself.  Otherwise, you are putting an M3 badge, taillights and wheels on a Honda Civic and thinking you're driving a BMW

I only have a very basic (non-Naim) system at present but it clearly shows the difference between CD's and MP3 rips on a USB stick. BUT, the MP3 rips are still very enjoyable. CD's are better for sure, but there is nothing about MP3's replayed via a USB stick that shouts at me "this is a lossy file, therefore it's no good!".

I suspect some people are more sensitive to the information loss than others, and there is also probably a bit of snobbery involved in that any kind of lossy file is generally sneered at in hi-fi circles. Even some Youtube music videos replayed via my hi-fi sound perfectly enjoyable to me. A lot also depends on whether you are the sort of person who just wants to enjoy the music, or whether you sit down to analyse the replay performance. If in the latter category then you will probably spend your entire life on the upgrade spiral! 

Peter

Bart;

When i said "do", i did mean reripping the CD and not reconverting.

There really isnt very many and it will give me something to do.

Peter:

I had a full on Naim system around 6 years ago and due to various issues i reluctantly had to sell up.

So for me, it wont be so much of an upgrade path, more of a 'get my system back'.... and hopefully it wont cost anywhere near as much on the SH market

I originally had a 282/200/cdx2/xps2/HC2/Dynaudio focus 220 system.

I have just picked up a used SN and the dynaudios, and i am currently looking at a used HC2 for the SN, so i have made a start.

The streaming and ripping part is all very new to me, so i am trying to get my head around all the formats, terminology etc.

At this point, if i can get the SN with the HC to be somewhere near the 282/200 combo then ill be happy.

CD replay wont be as important, so ill probably look out for a either a bare CDX2 or a 5x & FC2 (for similar money).

niceguy,

Your situation mirrors my own. I too had a fairly high-end Naim set-up 6 or so years ago, then had to change to an entry-level set and finally had to sell up due to financial issues. At present I have a little Denon micro-system with a pair of Eclipse single driver speakers. Actaully a rather satisfying set though clearly not in Naim musical territory. I too aspire to entering the world of computer replay and have dipped my toes in the water in a small way as yet. In time I hope to get back to a Nait 5i-2 - the most musical Naim amp I have ever owned!

Peter

Peter, I submit that if / when you move away from the micro system you'll hear greater differences between lossy and lossless files.  I can assure you that there is no snobbery inherent in that choice any more than the snobbery that has me listening to Naim hi fi and not a Bose Wave Radio.

I can easily hear the difference in my car between low and high bitrate lossy files and lossless formats.  But sure it's all in the ear of the beholder.

Bart,

The only digital files I use are on my iPod and B&W Zeppelin in the breakfast room. Like you I can hear a large difference between mp3 and Apple lossless. My wife's iPod is mp3 and it's very noticeable when that's playing.

Bart,

I'm sure you're right that when I get a better system again the difference between MP3 files and lossless will become far more audible. However I think MP3 can still be enjoyable, but clearly it is not the file type of choice.

It is really analogous to good recordings/poor recordings. I would much rather listen to a poor recording of music that I enjoy, than to an excellent recording of music that I don't like. But clearly the ideal situation is an excellent recording of music that I enjoy!

By the way no offence intended to anyone when I referred to snobbery over MP3's. I was talking in general terms, and I think the hi-fi world does tend to turn its nose up at such things, which is not entirely justified IMO. Not that I'm saying I would choose to listen to MP3's, but if nothing else is available they can be enjoyable and are certainly not as bad as some people claim.

Have a good Christmas.

Peter

I have plenty of MP3s, however they are at the higher bit rates of 256 and beyond, to my ears they sound totally fine.

To be fair they are usually of the drum and bass variety, where I think its safe to say ultimate quality is not such an issue.

gary,

Most of mine are at 320, but I have a few grotty ones at low bit-rates and even these are musically enjoyable. Granted though that my system is not exactly the most revealing of set-ups! I think it does depend to an extent on the type of music involved. Orchestral or other acoustic music tends to fair worst IMO, whilst electronic based stuff is usually fine.

Peter