ALAC playback iTunes vs VLC

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Level 1

8 points

ALAC playback iTunes vs VLC

I have a ton of my music in ALAC, can anyone tell me why it sounds noticeably better listening to it through VLC than iTunes? The only way I can really describe it, is that iTunes sounds almost muffled or dull, but it's crisp and clear through VLC.. I don't have any equaliser settings in use or sound check or sound enhancer checked or any plugins with iTunes! It's not something new i've noticed, i've just never taken the time to ask before, does anyone else notice this?

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2010 5:58 PM

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Answer 1

ed2345

Level 9

63,602 points

Nov 4, 2010 3:27 PM in response to Dan Groom

First, and you probably know this, but when you do comparative listens, make sure the volume is equivalent. Otherwise the louder one, even if it is only slightly louder, sounds better.

Second, there are a few settings in iTunes that you can fiddle with and see if it makes a difference. In Edit > Preferences >Playback there is a "Sound Enhancer" that you can adjust. And on a per-song basis, you can go to Get Info > Options and set the Equalizer.

Other than that, what you are hearing is simply the difference in the two players.

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Answer 2

ron App

Level 1

54 points

Nov 5, 2010 8:44 PM in response to Dan Groom

There cannot be any difference, unless there is a terrible bug in either iTunes or VLC, or some kind of "enhancer" or equalizer is actually "on" while you are thinking it is off.

Also, I think (not 100% sure) that VLC allows volume control past 100%. As correctly mentioned above, it makes huge difference if volume is not the same.

Finally, no-one should ever use equalizers (except with professional knowledge, to compensate for listening room defects) or sound enhancers, they are evil.

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Answer 3

Dan Groom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2010 4:45 AM in response to Dan Groom

I don't like to use any settings to mess with things either, but Sound Enhancer definitely seems to help things sounds more crisp in iTunes. I also know that the volume would have to be the same but there just seems to be more clarity listening to music through VLC. I'll just have to get over it lol

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Answer 4

ed2345

Level 9

63,602 points

Oct 30, 2010 2:47 PM in response to Dan Groom

Do you get the same contrast phenomenon for tracks in other formats, such as MP3 or AAC?

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Answer 5

Dan Groom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 4, 2010 3:21 PM in response to ed2345

Yeah, not to the same degree but definitely noticeable.

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