Minimserver question

I don't know for sure, but I doubt there are differences on simple FLAC to WAV conversions.

Simon

Sorry for another silly question. If i am going to ripp the rest of my CD collection. What should be the choice: FLAC 44,1 or Wave 44,1 or it does not matter?

If you are going to be using MinimServer and you have set Minimserver to transcode to WAV then *I* would rip to FLAC so that you have the embedded metadata and cover art.

Phil

So would I, and indeed, I do.

If you are converting from 96kHz or 192kHz, I wouldn't go to 44.1kHz as that's a lossy conversion, I'd go for 48Khz.

Incidentally ripping CDs to anything other than a direct multiple of 44.1kHz is also a lossy conversion to some degree, although the degree of loss should be pretty small if ripping to significantly higher data rates.

It was decided with your help that ripping CD to any other rates thatn 44,1 is pointless. I can ripp to WAVE or FLAC. Will FLAC converted by Minimserver to WAVE sound different that WAVE originated from CD by ripping? I am still affraid of installing Minimserver

Rip to any lossless format other than WAV to retain transportable metadata. FLAC, Apple lossless, AIFF etc. Either UnitiServe to FLAC or any of the ripping software such as DBpoweramp, XLD (Mac) etc will suffice. MinimServer handles them all. why are you afraid of installing MinimServer?

Although you could rip to wav and both MinimServer, Asset and various other UPnP servers will read the WAV standard and extended metadata with no bother at all, I would however recommend FLAC or ALAC as that way you are needlessly using up storage space. Although storage space is cheap, using a compacted file type  (FLAC or ALAC) makes moving them and backing them up simply more easy as well as allowing you to store more on your NAS. Yes MinimServer (using its MinimStreamer component) can transcode on the fly ALAC or FLAC to WAV format for your Naim if you want it to.

Simon

Dear Mackb3 and Simon,

What is meant by metadata. Album covers? It is ok with WAVE. I use CD/DA extractor or JRiver to rip and album covers appear regardless FLAC or WAVE format. I have rather big HDD (6TB) so the space is not a problem. My question is: will WAVE transcoded by Minimserver from FLAC or ALAC sound better than WAVE directly ripped from CD. This would be the only reason for me to install Minimserver. I am afraid of it because i read that is not a easy task. (additional application on PC Minimwatch?)

That will depend on what your ears tell you. From time to time I revisit this and have so far always reached the same conclusion, that WAV played back as such as opposed to transcoded from another format, sounds best. Many variables are in operation, not least me. The only way to reliably know what applies to your situation and ears is to try a back to back comparison.

Copy some WAVs. Convert to FLAC or your preferred "lossless" format and see for yourself.

supmario, yes metadata is album art and anything else not music in the file. I agree with Harry and experiment within your system. I'm no expert but tagging in WAV is not as transportable as say FLAC and others unless one uses certain software to retag. Simon can elaborate.

M

Hi yes metadata is information such as album date, artist, publisher, recording date, mastering equipment used. This information is contained within a special part of the file, but is done differently between many file formats. FLAC, ALAC/AIFF and WAV all do it differently.

although WAV/BWF probably has the most flexible metadata, it was primarily aimed at the pro market rather than consumer and so much, especially older,  consumer software simply had not been programmed to read the WAV metadata and skip over it! Apple default software is an example of this. This is why some people have trouble reading WAV metadata. The same thing, but less often occurs with AIFF on non Apple based programs.

Therefore if your software supports WAV and AIFF metadata then you are fine.. and as I said WAV/BWF can be flexible and contain detailed metadata, especially relating to the creation and source of the media.

However if you want a safe format with the highest degree of metadata compatibility with basic consumer software i would suggest FLAC , ALAC, AAC, OGG or MP3 (the last three are lossy)

Programmes such as Asset and MinimServer use and read  the standard and extended WAV metadata. The extended metadata was added 'unofficially' to the WAV standard and is based around ID3 tags to provide more consumer oriented tags and be consistent with MP3. The windows file explorer by default displays only the official standard WAV metadata however.

Simon

Hi Simon,

Thank you. What a bulk of interesting and useful information! For most of my purposes I use CD-DA Extractor: http://www.poikosoft.com/ . As far as album covers are concerned the program does not create separate file but sort of embeds it into files. When I use Naim application for NDX to play files from NAS Synology the covers are ok so I think I have optimal solution for my use