FLAC and ALAC audio format
25 April 2016, 02:20 PM
#1
FLAC and ALAC audio format
How have I only just found out about this? The quality is superb and noticeable.
Previously I'd been importing music as 320kbps MP3 but I've started downloading FLAC albums and converting them to ALAC (Apple's lossless format) so that I can play it through my itunes library and iphone.
I highly recommend it... this format should be made more known to the average person. Now I'm going to have to see if there's FLAC versions for my existing albums
Previously I'd been importing music as 320kbps MP3 but I've started downloading FLAC albums and converting them to ALAC (Apple's lossless format) so that I can play it through my itunes library and iphone.
I highly recommend it... this format should be made more known to the average person. Now I'm going to have to see if there's FLAC versions for my existing albums
25 April 2016, 03:49 PM
#2
I don't know anything about ALE, but with FLAC, depending on the sampling frequency and bit rate the files can be huge. Audio dynamics of the track have a bearing also on the file size - I have a lot of my stuff (that which I bought on CD) ripped using FLAC and duplicated to mp3 for convenience. Music collection currently stands at somewhere around 3Tb.
25 April 2016, 05:08 PM
#3
Damn that's a huge collection! Yes FLAC and ALAC files are a fair bit bigger than standard MP3 but storage is so cheap these days it's worth it for the improvement in quality. Pair up with some quality in ear headphones and the difference is night and day.
25 April 2016, 07:44 PM
#4
My movie & box-set collection stands at just under 20Tb, with my music collection taking up a further 3Tb.
I have a 24Tb (32Tb Raw) raid 10 array just to store this stuff. Total cost just under £2K. I then have a replicated back up of this on identical hardware in my roofspace that is another £2K. You can see I am already tight on capacity - so either increase the drive sizes the largest enterprise drives available or buy 2 more NAS units or a combo of both. 6Tb WD Se drives at £250 a throw and I'd need 16 of them that's £4K without buying spares.
Its an illness!!!
28 April 2016, 04:20 PM
#7
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FLAC has been the future of high end audio for quite some time.
When you start getting into genuine 24bit 96khz and above genuine masters and play them through a decent system, the A-B comparison between that and a high end CD source can be astoundingly good. However - 24bit albums weigh in at a few gigabytes as a rule.
The problem, as you rightly say, is storage media. Ive been streaming for quite a few years now, including movies with full DTS True HD soundtracks and a good quality movie like Spectre weighs in at over 40GB. 30+ GB of which is the audio. Lossless is awesome, but god it kills your storage servers!
Im using a Synology 716+ to stream now, got it recently and its absolutely top notch, really love it.
When you start getting into genuine 24bit 96khz and above genuine masters and play them through a decent system, the A-B comparison between that and a high end CD source can be astoundingly good. However - 24bit albums weigh in at a few gigabytes as a rule.
The problem, as you rightly say, is storage media. Ive been streaming for quite a few years now, including movies with full DTS True HD soundtracks and a good quality movie like Spectre weighs in at over 40GB. 30+ GB of which is the audio. Lossless is awesome, but god it kills your storage servers!
Im using a Synology 716+ to stream now, got it recently and its absolutely top notch, really love it.
Last edited by Evolution Stu; 28 April 2016 at 04:23 PM.
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28 April 2016, 08:09 PM
#9
Steaming is a no go for me due to my Internet speeds. But I think I'm going to need a new setup as my Laptop is quickly running out of space... 250gb. I do have a 1TB USB external hard drive which I could store my iTunes library on, but I don't want the hassle of plugging and unplugging the drive all the time.I'm a complete novice when it comes to Home Theatre PC's and network storage systems etc etc. I haven't researched and learnt how it all works.
I definitely want a Sonso speaker system eventually. I know it's not top audiophile hardware but from all the reviews, it seems darn good and it would fit my needs (multiroom wireless).
29 April 2016, 09:31 PM
#10
Went on an impulse spending spree... Bought a Drobo NAS with 4TB storage and a Mac Mini to act as a Home Theatre PC... Used off eBay mind.
Computer wise, all I have is my MacBook Pro Retina which has 250GB storage and my 1TB external USB drive which I'm constantly plugging and unplugging. Now I shouldn't have to worry!
Computer wise, all I have is my MacBook Pro Retina which has 250GB storage and my 1TB external USB drive which I'm constantly plugging and unplugging. Now I shouldn't have to worry!
Last edited by LSherratt; 29 April 2016 at 09:34 PM.
30 April 2016, 04:17 PM
#11
Are you planning to stick all that stuff in proximity to your TV?
If you would rather have it centrally located in your home, and only want a single small device under your tv or even hidden behind your TV, it is all possible with Plex.
Happy to talk you through it if you want to give it a go.
If you would rather have it centrally located in your home, and only want a single small device under your tv or even hidden behind your TV, it is all possible with Plex.
Happy to talk you through it if you want to give it a go.
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