Funkii Munkii

With regards to FLAC files, I'm a bit cluless on the subject, I understand the concept of it being lossless but my google search hasn't really answered my own questions.

My question is when you convert them into MP3/WMV/AAC etc do you not lose some of that quality ? by converting them. Should I/Can I convert CD's to Flac and then back to Mp3/aac for the ipod will it remain lossless, I cant see how it can and that idea seems like a long winded option.

The reason I came around to this question is because I was plugged my ipod into my hifi via the Aux terminal and a CD i'd copied onto the pod sounded as weak as p1ss but when I played the CD through the SACD player it was on a totally different level. Now I would imagine that is because the SACD player is a far superior piece of equipment to the i-pod.

Lastly what is a recomended FLAC converter as I have some files of some gigs in FLAC format that I'd like to convert, there seem to be hundreds on the net.

Cheers

FM

Coffin Dodger

Yes you will lose quality by transcoding from FLAC to MP3 or any other lossy compression format. The idea is (now you can buy 2TB hard drives for £60) that you rip your entire CD collection to FLAC (or other lossless format) for storage on you home server. So you have all your CDs backed up so you can put the masters somewhere safe. Now you can play back your library through your Hi-Fi either using a PC (home cinema PC?) or some sort of streaming media device (Sonus etc.). The interconnect to the hi-fi should be digital so that the conversion is done by your expensive stuff and the FLAC file sounds (in theory) as good as the original recording. You can also buy a good quality external DAC to do this so it's PC-digital i/c-> DAC -Analogue I/C-> Hi-Fi

And also because the recording on the iPod is in a lossy format (unless Apple Lossless?). Also the output from the iPod (assuming you were using the headphone output) is in a analogue form and whilst Apples digital to analogue conversion is good it's probably no where near your CD player for quality and the output is designed to drive headphones. Better to use a dock. There are also now some digital iPod docks available so the Hi-Fi does the conversion not the iPod

As far as I know the FLAC codec will plug into a lot of the regular CD rippers. dbPowerAMP is considered to be one of the better conversion tools due to it's perfect rip technology.

Markus

If you are using a Mac, then have a look at Max. It is what I use if I want to transcode from FLAC to mp3

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

I did that once for a laugh. It wasn't funny though as it really was spectacularly bad. A mushy compressed lifeless sound. Best used for what they were designed for and nothing else really. Even the dock systems sound bad.

Funkii Munkii

Yes it was through the headphone socket and yeah that just about sums it up

I have one of these in the kitchen
http://www.johnlewis.com/231056580/P...cid=paidsearch
Although not at JL prices!! it does the job fairly well, even better when I hooked up a decent set of speakers to it, why do these companies insist on bargain bin speakers.

Thanks for the FLAC info guys answered many silly questions running about my head

Ant

I tunes will let you rip your cd's in a lossless format. I think they can be transferred to the iPod as that too.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Linn Records have a site with FLAC downloads available... the few I have sampled are really getting close to a vinyl type experience. IMHO.

dunx

P.S. Without the dust...

Funkii Munkii

You'd have to expect that of Linn, shocked to read it's getting close to vinyl, I'm sure there would be a few people shouting, sacrilege burn him

JackClark

If I use the headphone socket or Bluetooth connection on my car stereo it's nowhere near as good as the dock connector. Another good reason to avoid anything other than Apple products.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

LOL, it's only taken them 25 years I have one of their fine turntables and am still yet to hear anything from a digital source that rivals it, maybe one of their FLACs and a decent source might finally do it for me.

As for iPods and their ilk, they are not really worth discussng in the same post as proper formats, the signal is so compressed and manipulated that it is an irrelevance in a discussion about quality.

JackClark

The thread's about iPods so we really should stay on topic. As Antc said, Apple lossless is about as good as it gets.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Er the thread is about FLAC files not iPods.

Oh and how the f**k would Ant know whether Apple lossless is any good or not as he is now stremaing his music to his iPhone LOL!

Ant

You're right I dont ,I encode my cd's at 320kb/s

Coffin Dodger

Why use a propriety format like Apple Lossless when FLAC is open source and in most of the testing I've seen faster to encode and compresses more?

JackClark

The thread is about FLAC files being converted for use on an iPod. The answer is Apple Lossless whether you like it or not.

GazTheHat

10,000 posts about Apple. 8 about Subaru.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Well an iPod was mentioned as one of the options so given your probelsm with seeing past the Apple brand it's no wonder you have fixated on that LOL!

JackClark

Read it again, it's all about the iPod.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

And those 8 were about how to install an iPod in a Subaru

Funkii Munkii

Nutter

JackClark

WTF! You mention iPod more than FLAC in your post. Perhaps I have gone mental, too much time on here with morons.

GazTheHat

Wrong, your counting is as bad as attitude.

Funkii Munkii

It was a lighthearted term of endearment Jack, you are an Apple nutter .

I also mentioned CD's and SACD, but I think the title states what it's all about.

What happened to the Jack that used to help me out when I had dodgy McAfee installs all those years ago, there was none of this Apple aggression in those days, amusing as it can be it's consumed you.

While I'm here get those clowns at Apple to sort out the itunes player, it's still a mess in relation to the track listing, it still blurs when you scroll or only the bottom few tracks scroll everything else remain static and out of sync, they managed to sort it with 9.0 but about 2 updates later it was back and has remained ever since.

JackClark

I just praise Apple when they do good. That winds people up who then call me a nutter as their intellect offers no other retort. Some of that **** sticks. Water off the back to me.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

No it clearly f**king isn't, now be told you tedious bore!

Funkii Munkii

Like I said it was a term of endearment/banter said in a nice way with a laughing smiley, but you dont get the tone on a post I guess.

I have no reason to have a pop at you as you have helped me out in the past on a couple of occasions.

As I said, what happened to Jack Clark, used to be such an affable chap.

I clearly dont have the intellect to understand.

JackClark

Nothing against you FM, just explaining the reaction of ***** like F1.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Yeah, but explaining it wrongly of course. And what was that you implied about low intellect and insults... hoisted by your own petard methinks

The fact remains this thread was a more general discussion about FLAC, you as usual tried to turn it into an Apple w4nkfest. Why can't you just leave it alone for once? We know you love Apple and would probably sleep with Steve Jobs if you could, but you are so baised that your opinions are utterly worthless.

JackClark

You see, I mention Apple and this stalking fuctard appears.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

You are becoming quite amusing now (a first time for everything) in a sort of 'laugh at you' kind of way.

Look, Scoobynet rules say that I am not really allowed to call you a boring ****, but they can't stop me thinking it so ... I think you're a boring **** !!! :