Recommend ripping software for the Mac

Posted by: Professor Fink on 23 April 2014

Hi everyone

 

Although I started ripping my CDs as Apple Lossless files through iTunes I'm now not sure this is the right thing to do! Crisis in confidence!

 

Would like to do a bit of a test to see what I prefer sonically vs the pros and cons.

 

Any recommendations or guidance.

 

I'm using a UnitiQute2 with a wired Synology DS214Play

 

Thank you.

 

Simon

Posted on: 23 April 2014 by pete T15

Hi Simon.

 

I still use iTunes and it works just fine for me. I have installed Bitperfect to run alongside iTunes which really improves things and allows you to import in WAV if you so wish.

Posted on: 23 April 2014 by james n

XLD.  Very good, easy to set up and imports ripped files directly into iTunes. 

 

See thread here for more details 

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ly=16631269493278782

Posted on: 23 April 2014 by R.K

XLD works well 

 

it you run Parallels you can use dBPoweramp which h

as more flexibility re. tagging - can choose from various databases. 

 

Still find you'll probably need to edit tags. Metadatic's excellent. 

Posted on: 23 April 2014 by Jude2012
Originally Posted by james n:

XLD.  Very good, easy to set up and imports ripped files directly into iTunes. 

 

See thread here for more details 

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ly=16631269493278782

+1 XLD works a treat.  Rip either to ALAC (lossless compressed) or AIFF (lossless uncompressed) .  I use AIFF.

 

Jude

 

Posted on: 23 April 2014 by -goat-

XLD only has one shortcoming for me... when converting from one format to another with XLD creating a new folder for the new files, there appears to be no option to duplicate the folder.jpg artwork in the new location. dbPoweramp can do this. 

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by marcobb

I also prefer XLD on mac

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by james n

I did initially use Max but found XLD preferable and have used it now for about 5 years. iTunes does a perfectly good job but i did find a few issues with some CDs is less than pristine condition (i mainly buy used CDs these days) which iTunes happily ripped but had audible clicks on playback once ripped. XLD ripped the same discs, took about 20 minutes in the process but produced 'perfect' rips so it's my Mac ripper of choice. I'm sure DB poweramp does a fantastic job but my Devialet streaming, iTunes library and ripping is done on a headless Mac mini so this is setup purely for these activities and only requires minimal interaction via VNC if needed.

 

James

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by Tog

XLD on Mac 

 

Tog

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by Flat

Use XLD without CDParanoia for better result.

 

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by james n

Better in what way ?

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by Professor Fink

Thanks for al the comments, help and debate everyone

Posted on: 24 April 2014 by Adrian F.

If you use iTunes, make shure that in the "import settings" the checkbox for "use error correction when reading audio CDs" is checked.

 

If you use XLD, make shure that it's properly configured.

http://www.digitalvertigo.co.u....php?showtopic=26740

 

The right parameters for the optical drive can be found here.

http://www.accuraterip.com/driveoffsets.htm

 

dBpoweramp for OS X should come later this year according to manufacturers info on the website.

 

Posted on: 28 April 2014 by Mr Happy

Tried both max and xld, ripping to wav. Xld rips sounded better.

Posted on: 28 April 2014 by George J
Originally Posted by pete T15:

Hi Simon.

 

I still use iTunes and it works just fine for me. I have installed Bitperfect to run alongside iTunes which really improves things and allows you to import in WAV if you so wish.

To the Original Poster,

 

I would stick with iTunes. 

 

To Pete T15,

 

I still have no idea in what way adding Bitperfect software improves iTunes. Just saying that it does gives no clue.

 

For example is this a sonic improvement or a functional one?

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by pete T15
Originally Posted by George J:
Originally Posted by pete T15:

Hi Simon.

 

I still use iTunes and it works just fine for me. I have installed Bitperfect to run alongside iTunes which really improves things and allows you to import in WAV if you so wish.

To the Original Poster,

 

I would stick with iTunes. 

 

To Pete T15,

 

I still have no idea in what way adding Bitperfect software improves iTunes. Just saying that it does gives no clue.

 

For example is this a sonic improvement or a functional one?

 

ATB from George

Hi George .

 

Bitperfect (from the app store) improves everything on iTunes . It takes over all the settings and once installed  you won't know its there apart from improved sound quality . It is very cheap  at about £6-7 I think so its certainly worth a try. There has been a fair bit posted on this forum about it and loads of reviews in the app store . One area where it does score well is 24 bit handling and you can import in WAV if you wish .

 

I've had it on my mac for a long time now but i remember it being very easy to install and i am by no means a computer wiz . I also remember the improvement in audio quality and since then it has become just another part of my system. It works for me. 

 

Hope this helps. 

 

Peter.

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by Professor Fink

Thanks for all the additional recent comments and thoughts, appreciated.

 

Interesting, maybe I'm getting a paranoia too about how I'm ripping! I was a bit concerned using Apple Lossless might be sonically no difference and take up less space, but might not be a good format ultimately, would hate to have to rip them all again when Apple decide to change or not support the format anymore. Oh wait.... I am ripping al my CDs again!

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by pete T15
Originally Posted by Professor Fink:

Thanks for all the additional recent comments and thoughts, appreciated.

 

Interesting, maybe I'm getting a paranoia too about how I'm ripping! I was a bit concerned using Apple Lossless might be sonically no difference and take up less space, but might not be a good format ultimately, would hate to have to rip them all again when Apple decide to change or not support the format anymore. Oh wait.... I am ripping al my CDs again!

Don't worry about it . In iTunes you can convert ALAC to  AIFF or WAV and vice versa  if you have Bitperfect running alongside it. Just click on FILE in iTunes and you will see the CREATE NEW VERSION option and take your pick.  Personally i prefer WAV  but ALAC / AIFF/ FLAC are all fine. 

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by Professor Fink

Thanks Pete, seems Bitperfect is something I should get on and buy straight away!

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by Professor Fink

Pete - quick question, got Bitperfect, under CRETE NEW VERSION I don't get the option to do FLAC etc, just create another Apple Lossless version or for iPod/iPhone or iPad/Apple TV... have I missed something?

 

Thanks

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by Professor Fink

Adrian F - thanks for those links, got XLD and would not know where to start without those... not one to start this evening. A clear head required!

 

Simon

Posted on: 17 May 2014 by MikeHall

I'm using Phile Audio from the Mac App Store to rip, and Jaikoz to sort the tags, etc. Works for me.

Posted on: 18 May 2014 by ChrisG

Hi

 

Currently ripping 2500 CD's to my iMac hard drive, then backing up (every 10 or so) to a stand alone USB hard drive. Have just bought a QNAP 421 with two WD Red 4Tb drives in Raid configuration, so this will be the new destination.

I'm using XLD and have read the various postings/guides on set up, but there seems to be some dispute about whether to test before ripping? I've set it at Test but it takes twice as long to rip, does anyone have any advice as to whether test is necessary?

 

Would appreciate any help.

 

Thanks

 

Chris

Posted on: 18 May 2014 by DaveBk

Get Parallels and run dBpoweramp. Works for me.

Posted on: 18 May 2014 by ChrisG

Thanks for the info, I'll stick with the test setting, as you say I only want to do this once and XLD seems quite straightforward. I've only had  a few issues with inaccurate rips and mainly it's only odd tracks, , apart from Kami Thompson's "Love Lies" CD which has loads of errors, it is a promo copy so perhaps that has some relevance, oh and Coltrane's "Blue Trane"?

 

After moving away from Windows , really don't want to introduce onto the Mac.

 

Chris

 

Posted on: 18 May 2014 by DaveBk

I have to use MS Office products for work and find the Mac versions buggy, so ended up with Parallels despite an original plan to purge Windows from my life. I already had and was used to dBpoweramp, so stuck with it. Simple as that.