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Can you hear a difference?

DeegzDeegz Posts: 64
in The Porch
So many formats available in the shop. I wanted to get the digital version for one of the bootlegs but don't know which one to go with. ALAC, ALAC-HD, MP3, FLAC and FLAC-HD.

Is the audio quality noticeable? I use Audio Technica ATH M50X headphones but its normally through my iPhone or iPod

Cheers

Comments

  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,473
    edited January 2016
    Since you use iDevices, I'd recommend ALAC or ALAC HD. That is Apple Lossless format.

    I've never listened to HD digital music so I can't really offer an insight as to standard Lossless vs HD. But Lossless is CD quality. And actually I'm not sure if iTunes supports HD. It may, but I don't know for certain.

    FLAC & FLAC HD are similar to ALAC in that they are Lossless formats but are less friendly to Apple computers. iTunes does not support FLAC, so you'd have to have 3rd party file conversion software before importing it. If you use VLC Player on a Mac or Windows, or just use a Windows computer in general, you would be fine with FLAC.

    MP3 is going to be the most compressed format. I always spring the extra $5 for Lossless.
    Post edited by HesCalledDyer on
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • SomethingCreativeSomethingCreative Kazoo, MI Posts: 3,404
    The difference between MP3 and ALAC/FLAC is much greater than the difference between FLAC or ALAC to FLACHD/ALACHD... However with those headphones HD would prolly be worth it.
    "Well, I think this band is incapable of sucking."
    -my dad after hearing Not for You for the first time on SNL .
  • DeegzDeegz Posts: 64
    Thanks guys! I ended up going with the ALAC file and it sounds pretty damn good. The only gripe is I had to download each song manually but other than that no issues at all. I hear a huge difference between the ALAC files and some other MP3 files I had before.

    Cheers :D
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Listen to vinyl records
  • DeegzDeegz Posts: 64
    buck502000 said:

    Listen to vinyl records

    Lmao. I know nothing about Flac and Alac because all I listen to is vinyl. Wish those bootlegs were available in that format....maybe one day B)
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Deegz said:

    buck502000 said:

    Listen to vinyl records

    Lmao. I know nothing about Flac and Alac because all I listen to is vinyl. Wish those bootlegs were available in that format....maybe one day B)

    My man :) look up how to create vinyl rips

  • GivenToSmileGivenToSmile Toronto Posts: 231
    I use FLAC HD with a USB key and this reciever http://m.bestbuy.ca/?lang=en#/catalog/productdetails.aspx?ajax=true&sku=10302147&lang=en-CA

    FLAC HD requires the proper equipment to play. Playing just through your computer sound card alone is not going to give you the results you need.
  • DeegzDeegz Posts: 64
    buck502000 said:

    Deegz said:

    buck502000 said:

    Listen to vinyl records

    Lmao. I know nothing about Flac and Alac because all I listen to is vinyl. Wish those bootlegs were available in that format....maybe one day B)

    My man :) look up how to create vinyl rips

    Thanks dude. I'll look into it!!

    BC136258 said:

    I use FLAC HD with a USB key and this reciever http://m.bestbuy.ca/?lang=en#/catalog/productdetails.aspx?ajax=true&sku=10302147&lang=en-CA

    FLAC HD requires the proper equipment to play. Playing just through your computer sound card alone is not going to give you the results you need.

    Is that just a regular USB? Didn't know you can play flac files that way. That's pretty neat.
  • GivenToSmileGivenToSmile Toronto Posts: 231
    Yes just a regular USB. The reciever is capable of playing HD audio in FLAC HD & ALAC HD. no need to buy a 100$ plus decoder. So if you need a new stereo reciever and want to play HD music this is for you.
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 95,658
    buck502000 said:

    Listen to vinyl records

    Maybe this 2016 Pearl Jam tour, they will make available every show on vinyl too, instead of CD & digital downloads. *praise Jebus
  • DeegzDeegz Posts: 64
    BC136258 said:

    Yes just a regular USB. The reciever is capable of playing HD audio in FLAC HD & ALAC HD. no need to buy a 100$ plus decoder. So if you need a new stereo reciever and want to play HD music this is for you.

    That looks like a nice receiver. I thought FLAC files were much more difficult to play, I'll have to check that reciever out. Thanks
    demetrios said:

    buck502000 said:

    Listen to vinyl records

    Maybe this 2016 Pearl Jam tour, they will make available every show on vinyl too, instead of CD & digital downloads. *praise Jebus
    I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ANY OF THE TORONTO SHOWS ON VINYL!!! Sorry, I got excited with the caps but that would be damn cool :D
  • LetsGoMteersLetsGoMteers New Bern, NC Posts: 157
    HesCalledDyer said:

    Since you use iDevices, I'd recommend ALAC or ALAC HD. That is Apple Lossless format.

    I've never listened to HD digital music so I can't really offer an insight as to standard Lossless vs HD. But Lossless is CD quality. And actually I'm not sure if iTunes supports HD. It may, but I don't know for certain.

    FLAC & FLAC HD are similar to ALAC in that they are Lossless formats but are less friendly to Apple computers. iTunes does not support FLAC, so you'd have to have 3rd party file conversion software before importing it. If you use VLC Player on a Mac or Windows, or just use a Windows computer in general, you would be fine with FLAC.

    MP3 is going to be the most compressed format. I always spring the extra $5 for Lossless.

    Great info, I never knew the difference
    2016 Columbia, SC
  • GivenToSmileGivenToSmile Toronto Posts: 231
    There's no better way to enjoy a bootleg.
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