Ripping

Posted by: ccr on 30 May 2010

Apologies for what is a basic question, but the more I try to read up on computer audio the more confused I get. I'm currently experimenting with a mac mini into a Cambridge Audio dac, using iTunes. I'm very happy with the iTunes interface and usability so don't want to change really so have been happy to read a number of threads discussing how to get the best from itunes. But then I equally keep reading that things like XLD are better.
And of course Naim appear to have made a big thing of their ripping engine in the HDX.
So is iTunes a good way to go for quality playback or should I be thinking of something else before I rip all my cd's into ALAC?
Thanks

Posted on: 30 May 2010 by David Dever

Yeah, avoid ripping to Apple Lossless. If you must use iTunes, use WAV with error correction enabled. And consider an external NAS for your iTunes Music Library, especially one with more than one drive bay.

Posted on: 30 May 2010 by DarrellK

Presumably in the future, you can always convert an ALAC rip back to WAV, and from there, to flac or whatever you want? (The Mac guys on here will correct me if I'm wrong.)

Having said that, I would use flac, there are mac programs to rip to flac (xACT for example, is an open source program - there's a nice guide if you google "flac encoding guide for mac"). You can also use a program called Fluke to play flac files in iTunes.

The advantage of using flac is that you could use other playback methods (squeezebox, for example) over the same music library.