[Double Ugly]

Aside from being a 20-year Windows user on my first week with an Apple product (Mac Pro), here's my dilemma.

I have virtually all of my music stored in .flac format on my 'old' Windows-based PC.  I tried to transfer the files in their current state, but the Mac Pro apparently rejected them, because they aren't showing up anywhere on my new computer...at least I haven't found them.  So now I'm left with trying to convert the .flac files to (I think) Apple lossless, then transferring the files over to the new computer.  The questions are as follows -

1.  What is the extension for Apple lossless?
2.  I'm using the latest version of Easy CD-DA Extractor, which among others, offers the following options - .m4a(AAC), .m4a(aacPlus), .mp4 (AAC) and .mp4 (aacPlus).  Are any of these what I want, and if so, which?
3.  Assuming none of the above will do the trick, and assuming what I *do* need isn't offered by Easy CD-DA Extractor, what's the best way to convert the files to Apple lossless (again, assuming Apple lossless is answer I'm looking for).

FWIW, the new computer is a Mac Pro w/ two (2) 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors, 2GB of RAM and two (2) 500G hard drives.  Point being, neither processing power nor memory is an issue at the present time.  The only real issue I have is that I've been musicless for quite some time, and I'm badly in need of a fix!  The old computer's power supply fried about a week ago, and the new one only arrived late this afternoon.  The power supply is replaced and the PC is up and running, so all I need now is for someone to tell me how I get my .flac files over to the Mac in a format that (1) I can use and (2) will provide the best audio performance.  I apologize, because instead of doing my own research and finding the answers myself, I'm asking for your assistance so I can get lossless audio files streaming to my SB2 as soon as possible.

Muchos gracious.  Seriously.

-Jim

PS - I'm still about as deaf, dumb and blind as one can be with this new OS and interface, but I have a sneaking suspicion I'm gonna *LOVE* this computer.  Once I'm up to speed, I doubt I'll ever want to use a Window's-based 'puter again.

[davehg]

First, congrats on the switch. Myself a WIn user for 20 years, I also replaced a dead computer this week with a Mac Mini Intel. Never going back, plus it runs XP Pro for my few windows apps! I had earlier bought a Power PC Mac Mini as a dedicated music server.

Not sure why you would want to convert FLAC to Apple lossless. Assuming you can access the FLAC files from your old drive, why not simply import them into the MAC (or access via an external drive) and use a free FLAC player like SLIM MP from Slim Devices? Better, buy a Slim Devices Squeezebox, which natively loves FLAC files, to access and play them via your Mac Pro. 

I think the problem is your trying to use iTunes as the default player, no?

[EMM801]

at xiph.org/quicktime/downloads.html you can find a component to play flac (and ogg) files in any quicktime app (like itunes). Or download from versiontracker (search "xiph").
Unless you need compatibility between platforms or devices I'd just stick with apple lossless

[Double Ugly]

Hi Dave,

First, congrats on the switch. Myself a WIn user for 20 years, I also replaced a dead computer this week with a Mac Mini Intel. Never going back, plus it runs XP Pro for my few windows apps! I had earlier bought a Power PC Mac Mini as a dedicated music server.

Thanks. 

Though I appreciate the ability to run my old apps on the Mac, I'm doing everything I can to keep anything and everything Windows-related off this machine.  I have an awful lot of files - mostly .docs - on my old system that I can't open on the new machine, so I may have to break down and get Office for Mac anyway.  Still, I don't have a Windows OS loaded, and I hope I never find a reason to need it.

Not sure why you would want to convert FLAC to Apple lossless. Assuming you can access the FLAC files from your old drive, why not simply import them into the MAC (or access via an external drive) and use a free FLAC player like SLIM MP from Slim Devices?

Because of this -

I tried to transfer the files in their current state, but the Mac Pro apparently rejected them, because they aren't showing up anywhere on my new computer...at least I haven't found them.

Long story short (somewhat), we took the old hard drives out and Kandy (my wife) took them to work and hooked them up to her computer.  She then transferred most of both hard drives - including my music folder w/ the .flac files - onto a 500GB external hard drive.  She then brought the external drive home, and I transferred everything she pulled-off my old drives onto the new computer.  Unfortunately, the .flac files never showed up.  Apple tech support (level 1, I assume) told me the .flac files wouldn't transfer.  Least ways I can't find them

EDIT - I suppose I should say couldn't find them. 

I say "level 1, I assume" to describe the tech support person because I just checked my music folder again, and the .flac files are there.    I'm telling you for a fact, they *WERE NOT THERE* when I last checked.  Granted, that was a couple of days ago, but shouldn't they have been visible right away?  Any reason it should take a while for them to show up?

Anyway, now I'm really confused.  The files I thought I had to convert to facilitate the transfer to my new computer are already there now.  Even so, assuming Apple lossless or some other lossless format friendly to the Apple OS is an option, I'll likely convert them anyway.  My computer is on a different floor on the opposite end of the house, and sometimes I like listening to my collection while I work/surf.  I have a fairly nice Logitech 5.1 computer system, and I'd like to put it to good use.

Better, buy a Slim Devices Squeezebox, which natively loves FLAC files, to access and play them via your Mac Pro. 

Got one, and have a Transporter en route.  Since the .flac files are here (still surprised by that), I can certainly use the built-in capability of the SB and continue to use the files in their current state.  But as I said, I'd still like to convert them to a format I can use on the Mac as a stand-alone unit.

I think the problem is your trying to use iTunes as the default player, no?

Nope.  It was that I thought the Mac itself rejected the .flac format and refused to allow it to be transferred onto on of the hard drives.  Since that isn't the case, I'd still like to use iTunes, and need to convert my files to Apple lossless or whatever will work best.

Thanks for the help and recommendations.

Does anyone know if any of the extensions I listed in the original post are Apple lossless?  If not, anyone know what the extension is?

EDIT #2 - Thanks for the post, EMM.  I'll take a look at what you've suggested and see what I think.

Thanks again.

-Jim

[jakepunk]

at xiph.org/quicktime/downloads.html you can find a component to play flac (and ogg) files in any quicktime

That should have been http://www.xiph.org/quicktime/download.html .  The release notes state that the library is only for Ogg FLAC, which nobody uses, not native FLAC.

iTunes does not support FLAC, so you would have to convert the .flac files to .m4a (both AAC and Apple Lossless use the .m4a extension).  I don't know of an automated tool that does that (Apple lets anybody write decoders, but they don't let you have the encoder algorithm).  You say you want to convert them to Apple Lossless to use your Mac as a "stand alone unit".  I think that means that you want to use the .flac files you already have on your Mac.  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want to listen to the same music on your Mac as your Transporter?

I would suggest using Slimserver since you're going to get a Transporter.  Install Slimserver and point Slimserver to your directory of .flac files.  Slimserver will will serve your .flac files to both the Transporter and your Mac.  To listen to .flac files on your Mac, you would click on the "Softsqueeze" link in the Slimserver web interface.  That will launch an application on your Mac with a java FLAC library that will decode the flac files on your computer.  You wouldn't have to convert any .flac files, and the same music management system serves both your Mac and the Transporter. 

If you insist on using iTunes, then you are in for an uphill battle if you want to convert your existing library.

If you want to play .flac files on your Mac in lieu of Softsqueeze and iTunes, there is a program named Cog that will do it.

[Double Ugly]

First, thanks for the release notes info, Jake.  I managed to find the site, but hadn't read the release notes yet.

iTunes does not support FLAC, so you would have to convert the .flac files to .m4a (both AAC and Apple Lossless use the .m4a extension).  I don't know of an automated tool that does that (Apple lets anybody write decoders, but they don't let you have the encoder algorithm).  You say you want to convert them to Apple Lossless to use your Mac as a "stand alone unit".  I think that means that you want to use the .flac files you already have on your Mac.  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want to listen to the same music on your Mac as your Transporter?

So the Apple Lossless extension is .m4a?  If so, what's the difference between .m4a(AAC) and .m4a(aacPlus)?  I have a sneaking suspicion they refer to different versions of a lossy compression format, but I'd love for someone to prove me wrong.

I have the option of converting my .flac files to either one using Easy CD-DA Extractor, but I don't what the difference is, or why I should choose one or the other...or neither.

You say you want to convert them to Apple Lossless to use your Mac as a "stand alone unit".  I think that means that you want to use the .flac files you already have on your Mac.  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want to listen to the same music on your Mac as your Transporter?

No, there isn't, thus my comment from a previous post -

My computer is on a different floor on the opposite end of the house, and sometimes I like listening to my collection while I work/surf.

Point being, the SB2 and my speakers are in a totally separate part of the house, and since I want to listen to my files via my computer speakers using an Apple-native program, I have to convert them to a different lossless format.

To clarify further, I don't care where the conversion takes place (i.e., on my 'old' computer or on my new computer), I just want to convert all my .flac files to the best sounding iTunes-compatible option.  If I can convert them using Easy CD-DA Extractor on my old computer and then transfer them to the new computer again, great.  If I can convert the files already transferred to the new computer, even better, but I don't think that's an option.  Either way, the SB and Transporter will be able to use the files, but if I don't find a way to (1) figure out what extension I need to convert them to, and (2) figure out a way to make the conversion, I'll only be able to listen to my files via the SB or Softsqueeze. 

'Course, I always have the option of starting from scratch and ripping all my CDs to the new computer, but I figure there has to be a better way.  Converting them to .aiff is also a possibility, but even with the embarrassment of riches I have in terms of storage, I'd still prefer to use a lossless compression format.

I would suggest using Slimserver since you're going to get a Transporter.  Install Slimserver and point Slimserver to your directory of .flac files.  Slimserver will will serve your .flac files to both the Transporter and your Mac.  To listen to .flac files on your Mac, you would click on the "Softsqueeze" link in the Slimserver web interface.  That will launch an application on your Mac with a java FLAC library that will decode the flac files on your computer.  You wouldn't have to convert any .flac files, and the same music management system serves both your Mac and the Transporter. 

I'd planned on downloading Slimserver as soon as I had my music files loaded on the new computer...which as I discovered to my surprise tonight, they're there.  So, as soon as I load Slimserver on the Mac, I'll be able to listen to my files again via the SB2. 

And you're right in that I can use Softsqueeze to listen to my .flac files while at the computer, but I'd prefer using a program native to the Mac OS.  I mean, other than taking up a little time, is there a compelling reason to not convert the .flac files to Apple Lossless?

If you insist on using iTunes, then you are in for an uphill battle if you want to convert your existing library.

First, I'm not insisting on anything.  I've simply stated what I'd like to do, and have asked for assistance in determining the best way to go about it. 

Secondly, assuming one of the two .m4a files (AAC and aacPlus) available w/ Easy CD-DA Extractor is the correct Apple Lossless extension, why should it be an uphill battle?

If you want to play .flac files on your Mac in lieu of Softsqueeze and iTunes, there is a program named Cog that will do it.

Thanks.  I'm still primarily interested in getting my files converted to a native Apple/Mac format, but I'll take a look.

-Jim

[eardrumstick]

HI Jim,
Regarding opening .doc files on your new Mac, you should try Open Office, a free, open source suite that does much of what MS Office does. I use it to open and work on Excel and Office files and it is great.
Good Luck
Dave

[Ferdi]

Hi Double Ugly, congrats to doing what I am planning to do in the not too distant future. I do have experience with the Mac though as I am currently running Slimserver off my Powerbook 12in.

As for converting, I have been looking at something a bit more audiophile approved than iTunes and have looked into CD DA-Extractor. According to the description on the web-site, it does not support Apple Lossless.

A quick tip from Wayne1 (from Bolder) on AC pointed me in the direction of Max, which can be found here:
http://www.sbooth.org/Max/

It uses the CDparanoia libraries to optimize ripping CDs. I understand it isn't quite as good as EAC but it makes me feel better than using iTunes (which may be just as good, I haven't tested.)

My considerations on file types etc:
- I wanted a lossless encoding to optimize quality. This in practice means a choice between FLAC and ALAC. I went for ALAC because I want to continue using iTunes for managing my music and the functionality to down-convert to AAC for use with iPods.

- I have looked into making the Mac do FLAC with iTunes but gave that up.

I have recently done the upgrade to iTunes 7 and to Slimserver 6.5 with the following results:
- ITunes upgraded just fine and I like the functionality. I have done had any of the quality problems others talk about.
- I have done the upgrade to Slimserver 6.5 after which the ALAC music I had imported with Max would no longer play to Slimserver. Any music imported (previously) with iTunes played fine in Slimserver. The funny thing is that ALL music shows up in iTunes just fine and plays from there without issue.
- I have found 2 workarounds: 1) go back to Slimserver 6.3.1 which does not have this problem. This version is still available and does roughly what I want anyway. 2) Select the tracks imported with Max in iTunes, cmd-click (right click) and select to convert to Apple Lossless, even though it is already in that format. This somehow rewrites the file headers and TAG information in way that is compatible with Slimserver 6.5.
- The above problem is reported as well for those wanting to exchange files to an iPod or that want to share music from iTunes. I have not tested this.
- Oh yes, Max is not only a ripper, it can also recode from let's say FLAC to ALAC or the reverse.
- I don't know what causes the above problem in detail and have not tested any other suggestions, although there is some discussion on it in the Max forums.

If you're not compelled to go ALAC (no pressing need for the iPod or iTunes), I would recommend you try the following:

- Keep your existing music as FLAC
- Use Max for additional imports (or cross-grade to the Mac version of CDDA Extractor, remember, no ALAC)
- Use the latest version of Slimserver (6.5) as you will have to do with the Transporter anyway
- Try and make this work.

The above should be straightforward to implement and you should know quickly if this works. If it does, fine!

In the future and with the ALAC play issue with Max and Slimserver resolved, you could consider recoding all your FLAC to ALAC using Max, allowing you to use iTunes. I find iTunes cool and easy to use.

Good luck with a nice setup!

Ferdi

[philipp]

I have an awful lot of files - mostly .docs - on my old system that I can't open on the new machine, so I may have to break down and get Office for Mac anyway.

The free TextEdit program that comes with your Mac (and is probably on your dock) can open MS Word documents. If there's tricky formatting, it may get lost but you'll be able to read and edit them without buying Office.

Long story short (somewhat), we took the old hard drives out and Kandy (my wife) took them to work and hooked them up to her computer.  She then transferred most of both hard drives - including my music folder w/ the .flac files - onto a 500GB external hard drive.

This is strange. I've got tons of .FLAC files on two external drives and neither of my Macs has a problem seeing them. Can your wife see them when she plugs the external drive into her work PC? Have you plugged the external drive into any other computer to see if those flacs are visible? It sounds like something unusual is going on here.
p.s. that Apple tech support guy was making shit up.

[Double Ugly]

HI Jim,
Regarding opening .doc files on your new Mac, you should try Open Office, a free, open source suite that does much of what MS Office does. I use it to open and work on Excel and Office files and it is great.
Good Luck
Dave

Hi Dave,

I'll definitely look into that.  I have an opportunity to get Office Pro for Mac at a steal of a price, but even though it's a Mac product, it *still* has the same bloating, the same security issues, the same patches, etc., etc., as MS Office.  Consequently, if I can find something that'll work with my existing files, I'm all over it.

Thanks much.

Hi Double Ugly, congrats to doing what I am planning to do in the not too distant future. I do have experience with the Mac though as I am currently running Slimserver off my Powerbook 12in.

Wow, Ferdi...I'm not sure where to start.  You essentially covered it all...the .flac to ALAC issue (Max), Slimserver version issues and workarounds, the reasoning behind what you did, why you did it and why I should do it.  You da man!  Thanks! 

I've only scanned the Max site, but so far it appears to be my best bet.  Great find!  And thank you, too, Wayne.

My new Mac arrived just over a week ago, so iTunes 7.0 was already on the machine.  As for Slimserver, I downloaded version 6.5 about 6 hours ago.  I don't have the SB connected to it yet, but the software itself is up and running (I've been using Softsqueeze).  I haven't used it long enough to get hung up on any particular feature it might offer or bug it may have addressed, so I won't hesitate to downshift to an earlier version if need be.  I'm all about functionality and stability, not bleeding edge.  That said, given my slightly different starting position, it's possible I may not experience any of the issues you faced.

I haven't used iTunes enough to know much about it yet, but I can see the potential.  That's part of the reason I want to use a format compatible with iTunes. 

I do have one question, though.  You said -

It uses the CDparanoia libraries to optimize ripping CDs. I understand it isn't quite as good as EAC...

Why do you believe Max isn't as good as EAC?  I haven't read enough about it yet to know if the website essentially admits as much, but assuming it doesn't, I wonder why you'd think it inferior.

I've read a lot of posts espousing the "fact" that EAC - properly used - is vastly superior to any and all other ripping programs.  IMO, that's nonesense.  I've used EAC, and did so while utilizing the supposed very best tools and methods for ripping CDs.  In bit-for-bit comparisons I made with rips from Easy CD-DA Extractor, they were identical.  Not surprisingly, they also sounded the same.

Anyway, just wondering what led you to conclude that it isn't as good.  Perhaps I'll find out as I read more about it.

Thanks again for taking the time to offer so much.  It is truly appreciated, I assure you.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Best regards,

-Jim

[EMM801]

Double Ugly, there are a few more apps you might want to try if you work a lot with audio, and may help in some ways:
-VLC media player: (plays ogg (and flac too, I think)) Also some vid formats that don't play in quicktime, like divx best part is, it's free
-Amadeus II: Audio editor, Converts between many file formats, including flac, ogg vorbis, apple lossless, and mp3. $30 and worth every cent imj.

I haven't used any batch audio converters so I can't suggest any apps for that,but I know they're around. Versiontracker is my go-to site for just about any software stuff.

[Double Ugly]

Hi phillipp,

The free TextEdit program that comes with your Mac (and is probably on your dock) can open MS Word documents. If there's tricky formatting, it may get lost but you'll be able to read and edit them without buying Office.

Interesting.  I tried to open a couple of documents, just to see if there was anything on the computer that would convert them, and the trial version of MS Word for Mac popped-up.  I've now deleted all of the MS software, and sure 'nuff, the text editor does open Word documents.  Thanks.

Since I have a few other MS files (.xls and .pps), I'll check into the open source suite Dave recommended.  He seems to think it works, and it's free.  What's not to like? 

Long story short (somewhat), we took the old hard drives out and Kandy (my wife) took them to work and hooked them up to her computer.  She then transferred most of both hard drives - including my music folder w/ the .flac files - onto a 500GB external hard drive.

This is strange. I've got tons of .FLAC files on two external drives and neither of my Macs has a problem seeing them. Can your wife see them when she plugs the external drive into her work PC? Have you plugged the external drive into any other computer to see if those flacs are visible? It sounds like something unusual is going on here.
p.s. that Apple tech support guy was making shit up.

I could see the files through the Mac after connecting the external drive, but after transferring everything over, I couldn't find the .flac files to save my life.  Were they really not there, or was my ignorance showing?  I suspect the latter, but I honestly did not find them until last night (files were transferred a couple of days ago).

The important thing is that they're where they're supposed to be now, and they're working perfectly with Softsqueeze.  I suspect they will work fine with the SB2, too, as soon as I figure out why it's failing to connect to the network.

[Double Ugly]

Double Ugly, there are a few more apps you might want to try if you work a lot with audio, and may help in some ways:
-VLC media player: (plays ogg (and flac too, I think)) Also some vid formats that don't play in quicktime, like divx best part is, it's free
-Amadeus II: Audio editor, Converts between many file formats, including flac, ogg vorbis, apple lossless, and mp3. $30 and worth every cent imj.

I haven't used any batch audio converters so I can't suggest any apps for that,but I know they're around. Versiontracker is my go-to site for just about any software stuff.

Thanks again, EMM. 

Looks like I have a lot of unfamiliar software to sift through.  Normally that's a bad thing, but in this instance, you folks are providing precisely what I asked for.

Well done. 

-Jim

[Robert57]

Welcome to the Mac fraternity, DU.  You're getting some great advice, but I'll just chime in with a few thoughts:

1.  If you encounter any problems with a direct reformatting tool (FLAC --> ALAC) I believe you can always convert the FLAC files to the full uncompressed AIFF or WAV formats on the old PC, and then import these uncompressed files as ALAC into iTunes. But beware of WAV:  I believe that WAV strips out the track info. (Gracenote) on conversion, so you would be better off with AIFF (Apple's version).

2.  Be sure to download the new iTunes 7.1 update just released a couple days ago. It is supposed to fix a lot of stability problems and other bugs (including painfully slow iTunes rips with large libraries). Also beware of the new auto artwork import feature--it places the cover art files in very small res. in a separate folder (not embedded in the actual music track folder) where Slimserver won't see them. It would be better to manually place the artwork in the music folder. Regardless, I hope you plan on backing up the library on a separate (non-mirrored) hard drive --I read of too many instances of there being strange losses of tracks or file info with the new version of iTunes. Hopefully Apple will iron out most of the kinks by version 7.2.

3.  Check out Doug's Scripts for a bewildering collection of Apple Scripts for managing iTunes libraries. These Apple scripts will automate many iTunes tasks, most of which you hadn't even imagined. There might be ones for file format conversions. But I'd definitely do some limited tests as new versions of iTunes often have conflicts wth old plug-ins.

http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/index.php#whatsnew

4.  If you have clean CD's, I doubt you would have any problems ripping in iTunes, provided you check "error correction" in importing CD's in iTunes. If you must have maximum error correction peace of mind, the CD Paranoia capability in Maxx looks very attractive, but then I think you're stuck with the two-step formatting into iTunes (#1. above) if you want all files as ALAC.

5.  I also like the idea of keeping the music libary in Apple Lossless (ALAC) in order to allow iTunes serve as the primary library organizing software. Apple will continue to rollout some interesting new media gadgets (like the upcoming iTV) and software for streaming your music and video media to your living room wirelessly. Even though the SB and Transporter would be a superior player for the music, its nice to have the ability to access your TV and have an alternative avenue for streaming to other rooms in the future. I'd love to see a small Apple WiFi tablet to serve as a slick remote for viewing cover art and controlling your master Mac server, without the need for a TV connection.

Have fun learning OSX and all the new Apple software. You have a wonderful set-up, especially with Slimserver and the Transporter. I'm sure you'll never regret the move to Mac, after you're over the initial learning curve.

Rob

[Double Ugly]

Hi, Rob.

Thanks for the welcome.  I believe I did it in grand style as far as hardware is concerned.  If only I had a clue about using it...

Re: the latest iTunes download, do you mean 7.0.1?  That's what I downloaded a couple of days ago via Software Update.  If there's a 7.1 out there, I need to find it.

Otherwise, great info, great suggestions and great link.  You've been very helpful, as has everyone who has participated in this thread.  I have a plethora of info, links, downloads and suggestions to consider, and I think it's time I stop posting and begin investigating.

Best regards,

-Jim

[EMM801]

7.0.1 was indeed the recent update.

Some other apps I recommend for working with audio on the Mac (one of my major uses) :

Audio Hijack Pro (by Rogue Amoeba): Records any audio on your Mac to AIFF, Apple Lossless, or MP3 in real-time. Accepts VST, AudioUnit, and other plugins. This one falls into the "must-have" category for me. Also makes any audio on your Mac available to signal processing plugins like...
Canz3D (by Midnight Walrus), which is a headphone dsp Audio Unit plugin that makes headphones sound more like speakers in a room and less like the sound is all in a straight line between your ears. Much more natural sound with less listening fatigue. Unfortunately not yet compatible with ICBM's (Intel Chip Based Macs) AFAIK.
iTunes-LAME: Import & rip music into your iTunes library using the LAME encoder, which many think produces better sounding rips than the iTunes MP3 encoder. You be the judge.
Ogg Drop: Standalone Ogg Vorbis encoder for those who want to use this format.

And Amadeus II, audio editor I mentioned earlier, has an extensive toolkit of utilities for cleaning up noise and other analog artifacts. This one is also one I wouldn't want to be without.

The Audacity freeware audio editor is also worth a look although nowhere near as polished or versatile as Amadeus. Can't beat the price...

Lastly, for us 'old-schoolers' transitioning into digital sound, PSP Vintage Meter is a free plugin that provides very realistic analog VU-style meters for level monitoring in any app that accepts VST plugins.

Hope some find these suggestions useful.

Hey, doubleugly, if you decide you don't like that MacPro after all,you can always send it to my house... 

[Double Ugly]

Thanks for all the help and advice, but...

...if you decide you don't like that MacPro after all,you can always send it to my house... 

...that ain't gonna happen. 

Take care,

-Jim

[EMM801]

Didn't think so 

Stumbled on this page just now, don't know anything about this app, but its a batch audio file format converter for OS X:
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html

[Ferdi]

Hi guys, interesting thread!

Jim, I didn't intend to state as fact that Max (or anything using CDparanoia) was better than iTunes, only that the common opinion seems to be that it is. We all know about "everyone knows...." so this is something you need to work out for yourself or take on faith either way.

I have not checked this for myself and agree with others in this thread that under good conditions, there probably isn't any benefit to using something else. I am not so sure with somewhat dirty or damaged CDs.

My reason for using Max (would have used EAC on Windows) is that I didn't want to rip a lot of music only to find out later there are ways to get better quality and have to do the whole thing again.

Groeten,

Ferdinand

[Ferdi]

I've been thinking... (not sure if that's a good thing)

Double Ugly, I have seen in the Slimserver documentation that you can connect to music streamed from Slimserver using iTunes. I have not looked into this more but it sounds like this could be a solution to your problem.

Ferdi