A better alternative to xAct?

Posted by: Elevensheep on 04 May 2011

Been using xAct to rip my cds to FLAC, but finding it a bit annoying that i need to rip to wav first and then convert to FLAC.

 

Any suggestion of a better alternative (preferably free)? thanks

Posted on: 04 May 2011 by Mark R

Try XLD. 

 

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

 

Posted on: 04 May 2011 by Tog
XLD - superb or Max



Tog
Posted on: 05 May 2011 by Guido Fawkes

But neither XLD nor Max embed magic in to the rip? 

 

All XLD manages is a bit perfect rip that can be validated by AccurateRip

That's not magic. 

 

All the best, Guy

Posted on: 05 May 2011 by Tog

@Guy do you use the XLD Secure Rip or the bonkers CD Paranoia III?

 

Tog

Posted on: 05 May 2011 by Elevensheep
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

But neither XLD nor Max embed magic in to the rip? 

 

All XLD manages is a bit perfect rip that can be validated by AccurateRip

That's not magic. 

 

All the best, Guy

Guido, where can i find magic?

Posted on: 06 May 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Tog:

@Guy do you use the XLD Secure Rip or the bonkers CD Paranoia III?

 

Tog

I've used both and plain old iTunes - all bit perfect rips sound the same to me, but I know I'm beyond help in this respect. I know there is a far better ripper and have been told this in no uncertain terms by another poster, but alas I cannot hear the extra clarity and stunning realism that this magic ripping methodology brings. 

 

Tog have you found the latest version of XLD stable? 

I find it crashes rather often on my machine - I am using a PowerMac with Leopard. 

Previous versions were fine. 

 

All the best Guy

Posted on: 06 May 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Elevensheep:
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

But neither XLD nor Max embed magic in to the rip? 

 

All XLD manages is a bit perfect rip that can be validated by AccurateRip

That's not magic. 

 

All the best, Guy

Guido, where can i find magic?

You need to rip with a UnitiServe - it does first class rips, but I couldn't tell the ones I've heard from iTunes. What is in no doubt is that the US is a fine device that plays back extremely well when coupled with a Naim DAC. Richard Lord has a thread and has compared the US with iTunes - worth a read.  

 

All the best, Guy