I can relate to that. I've been leery of using the term myself, both because it lacks a good definition and because I always feel like I would need to know more than I already do to be a "competent" audiophile. I enjoy movies and music. Sometimes I enjoy them a lot. Other times, I enjoy the idea of having time for them but don't get much chance to actually listen/watch.


Either route is a lot more appealing than lossy solutions, certainly. I'd have to experiment a lot to prove to myself which was sonically superior and most convenient. So far, though, I've settled for staying with physical media for most of my home listening - MP3 serves its purpose for in the car and background tunes at work, but even my wife recognizes the effects of lossy compression with some of her music.

I think it comes down to the fact that most people listen to mp3's through cheap headphones, pc speakers or a standard car stereo while they are otherwise occupied. Driving, running, working out. The caliber of speakers/headphones they have tends to limit playback quality regardless. Lossless is definitely a concern if you are going to be passively listening while seated or reading. I'd say lossless is a waste of time if it's not given a decent playback system. IE: no apple earbuds.

I decided to use a lossless format on a PC as a music server. That way, I can eq in the digital domain if needed. I can also eliminate a lot of variables in terms of CD player. I was listening to a FLAC of Allison Krauss, and the detail I have heard coming from a $3K cd player is all there.

but consider your surroundings, we are here because Outlaw provides a value for the buck, not ridiculously priced gear. This might just be the right environment for a good conversation on the subject.

I thought the same thing of other forums. I thought "Why would someone that only likes ultra-expensive gear be here at all?" But it turned out that although the forums were about most gear under $7 grand, some individuals liked to hang out there because it was a second or third system. That, and I think they enjoyed lording expensive gear over the younger folks that didn't have it. If you can make such a thread work...good luck. It would be nice to see cooler heads prevail.

well I did, its in the 'outlaw to outlaw' section. seems rather friendly so far, check it out.

So far, so good.

I just spent a rainy Sunday ripping dozens of cd's to apple lossless. I have gotten the majority of "essential" recordings for listening done. Now I have to twiddle my thumbs and wait for my rr 2150.

I finished mine last week. Second time too, I was foolish enough to rip it all to mp3 for the car the first time, thinking I would still prefer spinning the CDs at home. But now all my CDs are EAC'ed and flac'ed. I have 8TB of music now in my network. I love this direction media has gone, all my music is so easy to find and I never have the huge mess of cd cases lying around either after a good listening session.

Question about Apple loss-less vs. FLAC. Is there any SQ difference between them when just being used on a iPod/iPhone with a pair of Ultimate Ears. I only use this for traveling but I want the best SQ I can get under these conditions.

I don't have a media server yet as I am waiting for someone to come up with a media server that will serve SACDs or DVD-As. Most of my home listening is on that media and not Redbook CDs. Unfortunately, SACDs and DVD-As seem to be a dieing technology so I don't think there will be media servers supporting those formats. Maybe, if/when the music industry goes to Bleu Ray for high definition audio someone will come up with one then.

I will let you know if FLAC (Ripped with EAC and winamp) has any sonic difference between it and Apple lossless. My guess is no, but we shall see.