Highest Quality Itunes Output

[SuperBeatBoy]

I use itunes to rip my cds to my ipod. I was wondering which is the best, i've been using Apple Lossless, as i figured that would be the best and it does it automatic. I figure it would be better than MP3.

Unless theres a better alternative out there that you can recommend i can download. Its a shame that the Touch isn't compatible with Flac, as far as i know anyway.

[kernow]

I use apple lossless too. I can tell no difference when listening to it over a CD - which is good, apart from its slightly quieter. I don't know if the rockbox firmware exists for the touch yet, but on the older ipods you could install that (its an unofficial firmware someone created), and it'd give you flac support. Still doesn't mean itunes would support it though.

And I guess after all, lossless is lossless, just in another format.

[Strolls]

Apple lossless is the best quality.

It also results in very large files.

Personally I'm happy with MP3 / AAC at decent-quality settings (although I have in the past been able to tell the difference at lower-quality settings when other people have not).

For MP3 / AAC iTunes is not the best ripper. If you care about file size and quality then use Lame or similar. Most people will accept a compromise & use iTunes for the convenience.

[charlesr]

Exact Audio Copy is my ripper of choice, but imagine for an ipod, Applie Lossless would be the best option - however, I doubt using headphones you'd be able to notice much difference between higher bitrate mp3s (smaller files) than the lossless. If you dock it to your hifi then lossloss would be more essential though.

[kernow]

If you dock it to your hifi then lossloss would be more essential though.

Yer, I do that, but over airtunes, I also use the same lossless library for my ipod, because I'm lazy.