How to listen to FLAC (HD) files?

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davidos
davidos Posts: 481
in The Porch
I listen mainly on iPad/iPhone and have a USB stick for my car... How do people listen to FLAC files? Does everyone convert them? If so, then what is the whole point of FLAC? Can you tell the difference?
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Comments

  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 97,154
    Why not buy Alac & Alac-HD files so you won't have to convert your Flac files.
    http://livedownloads.com/live-music/3,321/Pearl-Jam-mp3-flac-downloads.html

    ALAC = Apple Lossless Audio Codec. True CD Quality Lossless Files, similar to FLAC.
    ALAC plays in iTunes and your iPod, iPhone, or iPad!
  • RedMosquito02
    RedMosquito02 Posts: 2,560
    VLC player app for iOS devices and for PC/Mac platforms as well. It's the best.

    :-bd
    33...
  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 97,154
    As for Alac-HD ..

    Higher than CD quality 24 bit audio, playable in iTunes and AirPlay / AppleTV.

    ..

    I play my Flac-HD files on my PC via WinAmp & VLC Player. Also play them through my Playstion 3 Media Server.
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,876
    I stream FLAC files from my computer to my stereo system using Squeezebox. I don't have use CD player anymore, everything is on my computer. So lossless is huge for me because I invested a lot in my speakers/tuner. When something goes on my phone, tablet, etc., then it gets converted to MP3 through DBPoweramp.

    If you are listening with something size constrained like an ipad and/or using mid level or below headphones, then you will not hear a difference between mp3 and FLAC. You are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain.

    If you ever listen to CD's still, then having FLAC is teh way to go too. You would burn the FLAC to a CD and it is totally lossless and as perfect as a .wav.
  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    edited March 2014
    I also use DBPoweramp. I listen to everything in ALAC.
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,459
    You are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain.

    Ah, a finally, a concise way of saying what I've been trying to say awhile!

    www.cluthelee.com
  • Zod
    Zod Posts: 10,887
    I have a media box for my TV called a popcorn hour a-400. It does HD flac but I'm not convinced it does 5.1 HD flac because it doesn't sound like much is coming out of the rear speakers when I play the tracks.

    I also have an optical cable going from my PC to my home stereo, so I can play them via WinAmp as well.
  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 97,154
    MedozK said:

    I also use DBPoweramp. I listen to everything in ALAC.

    I use dBpoweramp Music Converter too. Taking .flac files and encoding them to V0 Extreme, V2 Standard & 320kbps for on the go. Now with the High-Fidelity Pono Music Player release, it's Flac-HD from now on! :)
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,876
    Zod said:



    I also have an optical cable going from my PC to my home stereo, so I can play them via WinAmp as well.

    This is a good way to do it too, if your PC is near your stereo. My issue with optical is that most receivers wont play multi zone using digital cables, you have to use analog. I have no idea why this is.
  • cutz
    cutz Posts: 12,224
    Article about Neil's PonoPlayer:

    http://time.com/18027/neil-youngs-high-fidelity-pono-music-player-is-still-coming-and-itll-cost-399/
  • cutz
    cutz Posts: 12,224
    How can i Burn HD-FLAC to DVD AUDIO?
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,876
    Can you give some more context? What are you trying to burn that needs to be in a format for a DVD?
  • RobbyD462
    RobbyD462 Victoria BC Posts: 4,812
    I use Winamp it's free and it works just fine :)
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/21/9 -Vancouver,B.C-Rogers Arena-12/4/13 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/6/24
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/22/9 -Pemberton,B.C-7/17/16
    -Vancouver,B.C-GM Place -9/25/9 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/8/18
    -Vancouver,B.C-Pacific Coliseum-9/25/11 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/10/18
    -Misoula,MT-Adams Field House-9/30/12 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/4/24

  • Travelar
    Travelar Posts: 3,437
    cutz said:

    How can i Burn HD-FLAC to DVD AUDIO?

    I convert to .wav and then use Burn to make a DVD-Audio. I'm on a Mac, and it works well. I don't know of an equivalent PC program for it. I simply select DVDA and drag the .wav files in.

    Sounds superb!

  • Red Lukin
    Red Lukin Canada Posts: 2,994
    With flac I typically burn to a cd and listen to the cd when I want good quality. I then rip the cd to iTunes for when I want to listen to mp3.
  • cutz
    cutz Posts: 12,224
    mrussel1 said:

    Can you give some more context? What are you trying to burn that needs to be in a format for a DVD?

    24 Bit. I think that's the only type of disc that 24 Bit can be Burned to?

  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 97,154
    In a few months time they will be played on one of these PonoPlayers ..

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1003614822/ponomusic-where-your-soul-rediscovers-music

    :)

  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,876
    Yes, you can use a DVD player to play 24bit FLAC. But you do need special software to burn. If you are comfortable with Bit torrents, you can get Audio DVD Creator free here:
    thepiratebay.se/torrent/4782025/Audio_DVD_Creator_v1.9.1.0___Serial_By_ChattChitto

    Or you can buy it for like $50 bucks. It is supposed to work cleanly with 24 bit FLAC. I've not used it myself as I have very little in the way of 24 bit audio.
  • cutz
    cutz Posts: 12,224
    edited March 2014
    mrussel1 said:

    Yes, you can use a DVD player to play 24bit FLAC. But you do need special software to burn. If you are comfortable with Bit torrents, you can get Audio DVD Creator free here:
    thepiratebay.se/torrent/4782025/Audio_DVD_Creator_v1.9.1.0___Serial_By_ChattChitto

    Or you can buy it for like $50 bucks. It is supposed to work cleanly with 24 bit FLAC. I've not used it myself as I have very little in the way of 24 bit audio.

    I use ImgBurn. How can i Burn 24 bit to DVD-Audio WITHOUT the GAPS between EVERY song?(I'm trying to Burn concert Bootlegs) I have no problem Burning a DVD to watch but for some reason i can't get the music without the gaps.

    Post edited by cutz on
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,876
    Are you sure you are burning 24 bit when using ImgBurn? I thought that dithered it down to 16 bit before burning. You should at least do the free trial of Audio DVD Creator to see if it works for you and if there is a way to remove the gaps.

    This program here: cirlinca.com/download.htm (middle one) evidently has a way to burn without gaps. A forum post said, "IF YOU DO NOT WANT GAPS BETWEEN TRACKS :
    Optimize for gapless inter-track – Check this option if you want gapless transitions between tracks. Please be advised that there will be a gap every 20 still pictures when the DVD-Audio player pre-loads the still pictures. If you do not want any gaps at all, turn off Still Pictures, see Still Pictures Configuration"

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