Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

Return to Computer Audio Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Importing music to iMac

68.6.88.115
Posted on February 3, 2017 at 09:24:43
dbphd
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Montecito, CA
Joined: September 6, 2006
 I'm importing files from discs to an iMac for transfer to a Sony HAP. I've been using iTunes (MP3 at 192 kbytes), but it's been suggested I should use uncompressed AIFF. But iTune AIFF is limited to 48 kbytes. What's the tradeoff between compressed and lossless and bit-rate? Should I look for software other than iTunes for encoding disc files, and if so what?

db

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 3, 2017 at 09:29:13
Roseval
Audiophile

Posts: 1845
Joined: March 31, 2008
 It sounds like you are ripping CDs.
If this is correct, choose a lossless format
ALAC is a good choice as it is lossless compression.


The Well Tempered Computer

 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 3, 2017 at 18:20:48
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 iTunes is not limited to 48 kbytes AIFF, whatever that means. That doesn't make sense really. You're probably talking about sample rate but AIFF on Mac has no such limit.

You can simply choose iTunes > Preferences > Import Settings > AIFF / Automatic. Or choose ALAC.

I've used AIFF and ALAC over the years in my iTunes library and both sound outstanding. ALAC will save you on disk space with no compromise in sound quality over AIFF as ALAC is a 'lossless' compression scheme.




 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 4, 2017 at 02:04:36
dbphd
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Montecito, CA
Joined: September 6, 2006
 Abe, I was confusing kHz with kbps. I'm now using 48 kHz 16 bit AIFF encoding with iTunes. The resulting files are automatically transferred to a Sony HAP-Z1ES. The sound quality is excellent.

 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 4, 2017 at 09:45:32
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
You can leave the AIFF setting on Automatic, or since you're ripping CD's I would recommend:

Sample Rate: 44.100 KHz

Sample Size: 16-bit

Channels: Stereo

You are probably better off using Automatic or the settings above since a sample rate of 44.100 KHz will match the sample rate of the material on your music CD's. Once you have your music files 'ripped' at their native 44.1 KHz, you can use other means externally to upsample, either through various music players on the computer or in the Sony.

Just my 2-cents worth but do not rip your CD's at 48-KHz.



 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 5, 2017 at 09:58:43
dbphd
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Montecito, CA
Joined: September 6, 2006
 Abe, I've had so many misadventures in ripping CDs and SACDs that I've become pretty proficient at resetting the Sony HAP, clearing the iTunes library, changing its encoding settings, and clearing the memory of the HAP transfer application. I followed your advice last night, setting AIFF sampling to automatic and 16 bits. The entire ripping process requires of me only to insert a CD or SACD into the reader I use with my iMac. iTunes creates files that the HAP app automatically transfers to the Sony HAP-Z1ES. The resulting sound is excellent, indistinguishable from that when a disc is played using the Sony SCD XA5400ES.

Thanks for your advice.

 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 5, 2017 at 20:45:35
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
It's fun stuff for sure, especially when you have your 'workflow' routine down and have the production line humming along. Enjoy. ;-)



 

RE: Importing music to iMac, posted on February 9, 2017 at 12:55:31
BubbaMike
Audiophile

Posts: 650
Location: Left Coast of the USA
Joined: January 4, 2002
 You'd be better off using either XLD or dbPoweramp to rip your CDs over ITunes. Having AccurateRip provides extra insurance that the CD is ripped properly without errors. ITunes error correction is not that good.


When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. ~ Bernard Bailey

 

Page processed in 0.023 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]