iTunes Library audio

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Level 1

8 points

iTunes Library audio

Do the ripped CD tracks that reside in iTunes Library have the same audio quality as the original CD track? The pre-recorded CD is at 44.1kHz, 16 bit, but does it remain in that state?

When burning a CD from your iTunes Library onto CD, does it convert to 44.1 and 16 bit? After burning a CD, the audio is noticeably improved over the Library version of the same tracks. I found the bit rate on the burned CD at 1,411, but can't get any other data from it, except file size.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Oct 13, 2021 7:16 PM

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Answer 1

ed2345

Level 9

63,590 points

Oct 14, 2021 5:12 AM in response to Mary Simmons

The tracks resulting from the ripping process will have the audio quality that you have put in Import Settings. If you leave it at the default, that will be AAC/256, but if you want to retain the CD quality, put your Import Settings for a lossless format: WAV, AIFF, or Apple Lossless.

Audio CDs that you burn with iTunes/Music will be in CD "red book" standard 44.1 kHz / 16 it sample size. That corresponds to 1411 kbps.

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Answer 2

Mary Simmons Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 14, 2021 6:43 PM in response to ed2345

That's great, thank you.

What I've downloaded from iTunes is either 128 or 256 kbps, so I'm deleting the 128's and going with 256 DL's. I'm looking for higher resolution, not that 256 is great, but it's better than 128 (I can hear the difference with AKG headphones).

If I up convert the 256's (like to 1,411), then I believe that I'm only creating a larger file, but without improved resolution is that true? Figured it couldn't hurt to ask, right?

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Answer 3

ed2345

Level 9

63,590 points

Oct 15, 2021 5:12 AM in response to Mary Simmons

If I up convert the 256's (like to 1,411), then I believe that I'm only creating a larger file, but without improved resolution is that true?

Mary - Correct. The burning process for an audio CD turns them all into 44/16 x 2 channel stereo so that it will play in a "normal" CD player. As you suspected, that process does not improve the fidelity. :-)

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iTunes Library audio

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