Alternatives for ripping CDs for OSX
Posted by: Richard Adams on 17 January 2010
I'm not very tech savvy and am new to distributed audio so please be gentle with me.
I'm currently using an Apple TV connected to my AV2 via Toslink. My files are a ripped from my CDs via iTunes in a mixture of Apple Lossless, MP3 and AAC codecs. I can tell the difference between lossless and lossy formats. For me lossless rips sound nowhere near as good as the the sound from my CDS3/555PS though the convenience is great. I can see that distributed audio is the future and am looking forward to hearing Hi-Res music.
Unfortunately I've got 800 CDs ripped as lossy codecs so I'm going to have to re-rip these all again.
I only want to do this once more in my lifetime. I'm currently using an all Mac setup (though I'm not married to Apple and if there's something better then'll use it).
What is the best way to rip CDs for using now with ATV and for use in the future. I'm happy to rip to a multitude of formats to multiple HDDs and don't mind paying for the privilege. Nothing too techie though please.
If iTunes is considered to be OK then I'll happily continue to use it if there's something considerably better then I'm happy to use that
TIA
Posted on: 17 January 2010 by james n
I've always used iTunes in the past but have been using XLD for the past few months. Its free, so give it a go. To me (and IMHO) i think the XLD rips sound better but worth a play around to see what works best for you.
James
Posted on: 17 January 2010 by pcstockton
If you are starting from scratch (and cannot use a PC), you should rip with XLD to ALAC or AIFF. Find an online guide for the one-time set-up of XLD.
Then simply play back with iTunes and the remote app.
Works wonderfully.
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by Richard Adams
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
If you are starting from scratch (and cannot use a PC), you should rip with XLD to ALAC or AIFF. Find an online guide for the one-time set-up of XLD.
Then simply play back with iTunes and the remote app.
Works wonderfully.
Thanks for that. It seems that XLD is the tool of choice. What are the pros and cons of ALAC or AIFF?
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by pcstockton
Richard,
No huge difference. AIFF might be slightly better supported. E.G., Foobar plays AIFF out of the box, while ALAC requires a plug-in.
If it were me, I would do AIFF (if playing back in iTunes) regardless of any file size discrepancies.
Given the fact that you can convert back and forth ad infinitum between WAV and the various lossless codecs, without any loss of data, I would pick one and run with it.
-patrick
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by PMR
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Adams:
I'm not very tech savvy and am new to distributed audio so please be gentle with me.
I'm currently using an Apple TV connected to my AV2 via Toslink. My files are a ripped from my CDs via iTunes in a mixture of Apple Lossless, MP3 and AAC codecs. I can tell the difference between lossless and lossy formats. For me lossless rips sound nowhere near as good as the the sound from my CDS3/555PS though the convenience is great.TIA
How are you comparing lossless rips to CD's played on your CDS3/555?
Unless you want to capture 'hidden tracks', iTunes is the easiest and quickest approach to ripping perfect copies. XLD is pretty ugly IMO, though dbpoweramp is superb on PC.
Peter
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by PMR:
How are you comparing lossless rips to CD's played on your CDS3/555?
Unless you want to capture 'hidden tracks', iTunes is the easiest and quickest approach to ripping perfect copies. XLD is pretty ugly IMO, though dbpoweramp is superb on PC.
Peter
I think he compares them by listening to both and evaluating their relative differences.
As PMR says, rip with the most sexy, popular and easiest program. In all areas of life that is prudent advice. It isnt any different than friends, employees or lovers.
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by PMR
Unless you want 'hidden tracks'
Not even the Naim HDX will make life simple and sweat with its perfect, but ultimately missing rips...
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Keith L
quote:
Unless you want 'hidden tracks' Winker
Not even the Naim HDX will make life simple and sweat with its perfect, but ultimately missing rips... Roll Eyes
Are you saying that the HDX misses the hidden tracks?
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Adams:
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
If you are starting from scratch (and cannot use a PC), you should rip with XLD to ALAC or AIFF. Find an online guide for the one-time set-up of XLD.
Then simply play back with iTunes and the remote app.
Works wonderfully.
Thanks for that. It seems that XLD is the tool of choice. What are the pros and cons of ALAC or AIFF?
Richard,
Whatever ripper or codec format you choose, getting the sonics up and beyond your CDS3 is a matter of getting that information out of your computer intact which shouldn't be a problem, and into comparable DAC/Analogue stages.
Has your dealer got one of the new DACs you can borrow? Or do you know anyone that can lend you another.
Joe
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by PMR:
Unless you want 'hidden tracks'
Not even the Naim HDX will make life simple and sweat with its perfect, but ultimately missing rips...
Right.... that is exactly why Im not suggesting the HDX for ripping (if that is true).
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by PMR
Believe I read somewhere on this or other forum. Think it has something to do with digital fidelity (DigiFi). Cannot see it an issue with a software upgrade all being the CDROM drive can support.
iPhone Message
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Richard Adams
quote:
Originally posted by Joe Bibb:
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Adams:
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
If you are starting from scratch (and cannot use a PC), you should rip with XLD to ALAC or AIFF. Find an online guide for the one-time set-up of XLD.
Then simply play back with iTunes and the remote app.
Works wonderfully.
Thanks for that. It seems that XLD is the tool of choice. What are the pros and cons of ALAC or AIFF?
Richard,
Whatever ripper or codec format you choose, getting the sonics up and beyond your CDS3 is a matter of getting that information out of your computer intact which shouldn't be a problem, and into comparable DAC/Analogue stages.
Has your dealer got one of the new DACs you can borrow? Or do you know anyone that can lend you another.
Joe
Absolutely. I'm going for a demo of the new DAC to compare with the AV2 to see if it's good for background listening plus a separate dem to compare HDX/DAC/555PS vs Mac/DAC/55PS vs CDS3/555PS to see whether I can go totally to distributed audio.
I just want to know which is the best way to get the data to the DAC from the Mac before the demo so I can make up my mind.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Adams:
Absolutely. I'm going for a demo of the new DAC to compare with the AV2 to see if it's good for background listening plus a separate dem to compare HDX/DAC/555PS vs Mac/DAC/55PS vs CDS3/555PS to see whether I can go totally to distributed audio.
I just want to know which is the best way to get the data to the DAC from the Mac before the demo so I can make up my mind.
As a couple of people have mentioned, there is further scope to enhance the Mac output. Pure Vinyl and Amarra to mention but two. You can download a demo of either.
Joe
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by PMR
As with Joe just buy a MAC and a Weiss DAC2 connected via Firewire to better your CDS3/555 for distributed audio. If you insist on using the Naim DAC, you'll need to use the SPDIF coaxial connection with a CD transport, HDX or other relatively low jitter coaxial source for best performance. Weiss DAC2/Firewire is the best solution for MAC.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by pcstockton
PMR,
I think the above is a little irresponsible at best. I wouldnt say it as FACT, that the Weiss is "best" with Mac. Whether Mac or PC, Weiss or Naim, it really comes down to personal preference.
Also, even Naim (and others) have said GREAT results come from a tethered iPod/Phone or an m-audio transit. You do not "need" the HDX for great results with the Naim DAC.
If you prefer the Naim DAC to the Weiss, I would bet that you would like a Transit>Naim DAC, over an HDX(like)>Weiss DAC. Just a thought.
And lastly, i dont think Joe Bibb was referring to the Weiss, when he said "new DAC" although I could have misunderstood.
-patrick
Posted on: 20 January 2010 by PMR
Not in the least, since the Weiss DAC2 using Firewire will give a sound as good if not better than the best CD transport using lossless files from a MAC or PC.
I garantee that all Naim DAC reports will indicate that by using a MAC via Toslink/optical (MAC Mini, MAC Book etc) that the sound will be miles behind when comparing to an HDX or indeed other music server when using SPDIF coaxial.
