iTunes - Your Opinion

[Holden]

Thanks for your input so far folks.

OK, I took David's suggestion and downloaded a trial of dB Poweramp. it is an exceptionally good program and it's combination of 4 different databases certainly enabled it to find CDs that freedb did not seem to have listed. I've got the mono LvB symphony set on M&A that Walter conducted in the 40s and 50s and it found this AND the album art. But, it is no match for Grace Note which has found every CD I've put into it. This includes a Saga recording of Fiorentino playing the Chopin Nocturnes. This is an extremely rare CD and I can't find anywhere to purchase it - yet Grace Note found it!

Now I only really want to use iTunes for CDs that freedb etc won't find and that leaves me with a new question. Db Poweramp is very impressive but it isn't free. Therefore, would I better off getting the paid version of Winamp which also uses the Grace Note database? It's a dilemma for me to ponder and more discussion here might help me make up my mind.

[Mirror Image]

Overall, I like iTunes fairly well. Since I'm an audiophile, when I'm ripping my CDs I use a good bit rate (192 kbps) and also use the classical EQ setting. Since I do a lot of listening while I'm on the computer, I needed a setup that sounded good, so I use a homemade CMoy headphone amplifier to help boast the volume level and provide much more clarity.

I think iTunes is much easier to use than a lot of programs I've used. I have a Sony Walkman Mp3 player that I like a lot, but don't play much because I HATE Sony's program for transferring files. Totally lame.

My philosophy with iTunes or any software program that works well is if it ain't broke, then don't fix it.

[DavidW]

If GraceNote is what you love Holden, then the big difference is do you want accuraterip?  Because winamp has it and itunes does not.  It is a database to lookup and check to see if the tracks were actually ripped correctly.  I think that winamp also has the secure rip mode as well, but I don't think that itunes has implemented theirs right.  I personally think that it is only important if you have heavily scratched discs.  If you keep your discs in excellent condition then go with itunes and save money.

If you're going to rip thousands of cds, and avoiding the occassional pop! triples your ripping time, secure mode + check with accuraterip might not be worth it.  I can't really think of anything else noteworthy.

[petrarch]

Since I'm an audiophile, when I'm ripping my CDs I use a good bit rate (192 kbps) and also use the classical EQ setting.

A true audiophile would not use any EQ .

[MN Dave]

I rip at 320. Is that too high?

[DavidW]

I rip at 320. Is that too high?

It's only too high if you run out of space!   I prefer lame -V 0 or 1 which uses average bit rate of 192-220 peaking at 320 only when needed.  Much more efficient as compared to 320 but sounds the same.

[DavidW]

A true audiophile would not use any EQ .

A true audiophile would carefully use an spl meter and test tones to EQ his speaker response in his room to flat.

[petrarch]

A true audiophile would carefully use an spl meter and test tones to EQ his speaker response in his room to flat.

Nah, anything that changes the signal is only a last resort. Before using EQ to get the speakers to play well in the room there is a whole host of room treatments that can (and should) be used .

[drogulus]

     I use v-0 for mp3s and Nero AAC q.85 (~350 kbps VBR) for iTunes. I've got plenty of space. The Nero encoder is a plugin for dBPoweramp, a free download from Nero's site. I use no EQ on the player, just replaygain which doesn't change the sound.

     If you're using an iPod and want to encode in .m4a get the link>Nero encoder<link and follow instructions on the dBPoweramp site.

[Mirror Image]

A true audiophile would not use any EQ .

Lol...but I need EQ. Bass + treble + midrange = a very happy listener.

[Opus106]

I think it'll soon be time for me to say goodbye to Windows+dpPoweamp+iTunes. ALAC is now available under an Apache license.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/10/27/apples-alac-codec-is-now-open-source/