Getting EAC wav files into iTunes without conversion

WAV files don't support tagging, and despite your critical listening tests (I hope you're not plugging headphones into your sound card for this), WAV files produced with EAC don't sound any better than other WAV files or lossless files for that matter, unless you're not able to get clean rips of CDs with other software given the optical drive and software you're using.

It sounds like you're using a PC and a Mac for all of this, so are you using iTunes for the ABX (or other) tests, or are you using something like foobar2000 with a reverse engineered ALAC decoder? I guess the main point is that if you take the time to decode your ALAC files and compare them to your WAV files, they should be identical. The iTunes ALAC decoder is bug-free, but iTunes doesn't directly incorporate an ABX function, so perhaps the reliability of the testing you've done should be examined a bit more before you disregard Apple Lossless or other lossless compressors.

Note that sounding "better' vs. comparing how true to the original it is are two different things.

Alright, I get the picture a bit more clearly now, I think. In the sake of completeness is your listening evaluation, I might suggest sticking with your clean WAV files you're generating from EAC, and then converting those same files to Apple Lossless on the PC using dBpoweramp Music Converter with the m4a, mp4, m4b & aac codec installed. Using this codec will require that you additionally have the free Nero Digital Audio+ codec installed.

If you then use iTunes to play back the WAVs and Apple Lossless files, just make sure to visit Edit > Preferences > Playback and ensure that no effects are applied on playback (in iTunes for Mac, Sound Enhancer is enabled by default, whereas in iTunes for Windows, it's not). Also, disable Sound Check if it's enabled.

In order to make this listening test fair, I think it important to use the source WAV files to generate your other files for comparative listening rather than using the Mac to create new test files. For years, there have been claims from many users that audio extracted from audio CDs on Macs sounds quieter than audio extracted from audio CDs under Windows, and this even when Sound Check is not enabled on the Mac. I can't fairly comment on this, since I rip my audio CDs to lossless files exclusively on my PC and then move the files to my Mac for other purposes.

Phrarod,

You're dealing with management types, they have a lot of insight into the abyss but can't answer your question or solve the problem. I have the exact same question and fully agree with your assessment of WAV file superiority over others on playback through a high end audio system. I never thought a WAV file would beat a $10K CD player, but it's happening and EAC is the enabler...remove the mechanics.

In any case, I don't care about conversion to other formats, arguments about hearing, or the definition of high end audio. I've chosen my format but also love the portability and convenience of iPods/iTunes when I'm not in front of the he-man rig hence want to access an extensive WAV library via iTunes.

Have you found a solution for WAV file music organization in iTunes keeping files in the original EAC full WAV rip? Please don't give up the quest and lead me elsewhwere if needed. Thanks for the great explanations, you have unbelievable patience. Robotele

RoboTele wrote:
Phrarod,

You're dealing with management types, they have a lot of insight into the abyss but can't answer your question or solve the problem.

How informative and polite. When you invent a tagging standard for WAV that works with iTunes, I trust you'll keep us updated.