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Topic: Best way to save files losslessly? (Read 6754 times) previous topic - next topic
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Best way to save files losslessly?

I was going to do this with WAv files, but since I am using EAC. Is Flac the best way to save music without losing any quality?

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #1 –
“[T]he best way” as in…? All lossless audio preserves quality entirely and bit-for-bit, as I hope is obvious from the term lossless. FLAC is the most widely supported nonproprietary lossless format, if compatibility is your concern.

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #2 –
You might as well use FLAC instead of wave.
FLAC -> JDS Labs ODAC/O2 -> Sennheiser HD 650 (equalized)

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #3 –
Besides smaller file size, the major advantage is that tagging[/u] (Title, artist, album, album art, year, etc...)  is standardized for FLAC (and ALAC), but not for WAV.   

There is also a 2GB (or 4GB?) file size limit for WAV, but not for FLAC/ALAC.    (You'll never run into  limit when ripping CDs, but it can become an issue with "concert length" files, or long high-resolution files, or long multichannel files.)


The only advantage of WAV is that it's more universal and, like MP3, it will "play everywhere".  But if you have FLAC or ALAC files, you can easily convert to WAV if it ever becomes necessary.

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #4 –
The 2GB limitation for WAV files is pointless for CD audio ripping since the extracted audio never can go over 800MB.
It only may concern when ripping vinyl comes to task or DVDA

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #5 –
I have also noted... many people who rip vinyl at very high resolutions, compress the music files as WAVPACK (.wv) rather than FLAC.

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #6 –
I've also heard FLAC is also supported by Windows Media Player. Is this true?

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: derty2 on
I have also noted... many people who rip vinyl at very high resolutions, compress the music files as WAVPACK (.wv) rather than FLAC.
Your point? Both are lossless formats, and users are free to use whichever format they please.

Quote from: bsmooth on
I've also heard FLAC is also supported by Windows Media Player. Is this true?
Not officially, but there are third-party extensions to enable FLAC use. The official site is a good place to start looking.

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #8 –
see Lossless comparison
"I hear it when I see it."

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #10 –
The original poster is extracting audio CD's with EAC, so arguably the "best" way is just to store as .WAV with external cue sheet, or use a file naming system on individual .WAV of tracks. Obvious advantages to this method are: no compatibility issues; no waiting for files to compress; virtually no decompression overhead; and avoiding the whole area of debate about about which codec/settings is better along with any other arguments regarding codecs. Obvious disadvantages: no native error-detection; no native tagging; no space savings, even on the track with 8 minutes of digital silence before the hidden end-of-CD song. Those disadvantages don't amount to much if you store your data on trustworthy media, use a cue sheet or file naming scheme for metadata and if space is not an issue (I just got a 1.5 TB drive for $65 last week).
"Something bothering you, Mister Spock?"

Best way to save files losslessly?

Reply #11 –
Most files are simply ripped from the CD and stored on my hard drive. however some CD's are so poorly recorded, I may want to edit them. I have Audacity and tried using Windows Media Adio Lossless, however Audity cannot edit these files. I listen to a lot of Jethro Tull, and many of his earlier recordings are documented as having issues. It still amazes me that even as far back as 15-20 years ago, saving music digitally wasn't standardized then, and yet still even today the better ways of saving music digitally, are very much in the beta stage. I guess even in the days of LP's and cassette tapes, there were always options. It just seems even now, there are almost too many options. probelem with that is everyone is going off in seperate directions, so instead of settling on one way and concentrating on making that better, we have umpteen ways and try and improve all of them.