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XXRichXX Author

Level 1

25 points

iTunes Download Bitrate Question.

Hey all.

Well i just wanted to ask if it is possible to download music from iTunes in a higher bitrate than the 256 kbps, that is the standart now.

The reason why i ask this, is that the music i have downloaded from iTunes sounds pretty bad in the details when playing through airplay/reciever and floor speakers.

All other music i have inported myself from a CD, sounds okay and the details in the music is spot on. But when i play a albums downloaded from iTunes, then details in the music sounds a bit fuzzy, this is especially true when playing music with acustic guitars.

So is there a way to get a higher bitrate from iTunes...or am i forced to stop buying music via iTunes...? Since i really dont want to waste my money on sub-standart music quality...!

Best

Rich

Posted on Jul 25, 2012 4:39 AM

Top-ranking reply

Community User

Posted on Jul 25, 2012 7:31 AM

256kps AAC is the current standard - there's no way to get a higher bitrate than that.

As for the issue, keep in mind that it's not only the bitrate, it's also the mastering source that's a factor (I'd actually argue that it's the most important factor of all). So if you downloaded a song that has zero dynamic range in the actual source master, it doesn't matter if you've ripped from a CD to ALAC or have a 320kps AAC, it's still going to sound bad. "Garbage in / garbage out", as the saying goes.

I wish they'd bump it up to 320kps AAC or, better yet, ALAC. But I've done ABX tests between their 256kps AAC's and a comparable CD rip, and it's not easy to tell them apart. And this is using the same mastering, btw.

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47 replies

Holdz

Level 1

9 points

Apr 5, 2016 11:03 AM in response to D.C. Rhind

mp3, m4a are not high quality formats & are not close to CD quality regardless of bitrate, altho obviously 320kbps is better than anything less. There are plenty of formats that are way better quality but Apple chooses not to use them.

If you want decent quality music then you need to be not using iTunes!!

If you're interested in how file format affects quality have a read of thishttp://www.demo.lastnightadjsavedmylife.org/ning/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/the- soundscape-consciousness-arena.pdf

Csound1

Level 9

60,033 points

Apr 5, 2016 11:09 AM in response to Yoyohambone

Then don't use iTunes.

iTunes Download Bitrate Question.