ALAC or FLAC?

[Deleted member 21114]

I’ve said above. I didn’t rip or created the file but downloaded it.

To clarify - you downloaded a FLAC version and an ALAC version of the same song? You didn't encode one from the other?

 

[Haskil]

To be correct, the best ALAC compression is around 5-12% batter than the best FLAC compression.

A third smaller is quite possible, if the best ALAC compression rate is used but not the best FLAC rate.

You can’t just take a utility designed for bulk compression and use it to say which is best because you may not get the smallest files that way. By default such utilities use the best rate for fast compression.

For the same rate of compression, I understand that FLAC may produce the smaller file, because ALAC sits in an MP4 container. That came from a source that claimed FLAC sounds better though - so I can’t give that too much credence. I’m sure someone on the forum would know.

The compression rate in Alac is automatic ; the user cannot adjust the compression ratio. Unlike Flac where it is adjustable to several compression rates un dBpoweramp (but also full speed without compression which makes it very easy to make universal tags which .wav cannot but do golden ears prefer wav to Flac !)

 

[ahofer]

To clarify - you downloaded a FLAC version and an ALAC version of the same song? You didn't encode one from the other?

 

[Jimbob54]

I’ve said above. I didn’t rip or created the file but downloaded it.

From where though? The alac from iTunes should be easy to trace back to the version of the track but what is the provenance of the flac?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Yes ! And Alac can be used with all computers and computer reading software: it has become universal. While Flac is still not readable in iTunes-Music... due to Apple's sole fault.

One of many excellent reasons to avoid Apple an iTunes

 

[OldTimer]

Qobuz and Tidal are streaming FLAC files. Nobody in the world can say Apple Music is better than them.

 

[OldTimer]

To clarify - you downloaded a FLAC version and an ALAC version of the same song? You didn't encode one from the other?

Yes, same 24 bit 44.1khz but different file size

 

[Jimbob54]

Yes, same 24 bit 44.1khz but different file size

That didn't answer the question. Nor mine which I have asked twice which is what is the source of the Flac file.

 

[OldTimer]

Here is the metadata captured from Foobar2000 windows app. Sorry can't upload it. I didn't create the file, only downloaded it.
Now go to your iphone Music setting to know the downloaded file size. It's only 32.4MB.

View attachment 343240

And here is the Apple Music:

So, 32.4MB vs 51.4MB. I always prefer bigger file size.

 

[Deleted member 21114]

Yes, same 24 bit 44.1khz but different file size

Reencode the ALAC as FLAC and see if the differences remain. The larger file is very likely a different, more compressed mix of the song. A brickwalled track doesn't compress as much as a "properly" mixed track.

 

[Jimbob54]

And here is the Apple Music:
View attachment 343366

So, 32.4MB vs 51.4MB. I always prefer bigger file size.

Nobody is doubting the size of the 2 files. But is it the same file encoded 2 ways or 2 different files each encoded differently.

I'll put it another way. If I purchase music on Bandcamp I can choose between formats for download. I am reasonsbly confident there that any differences in file size or quality would be due to the encoding /compression used not the actual source file used. In your situation we still have no idea.

 

[OldTimer]

The local FLAC file was played by Flacbox is still better sounding (louder) than Qobuz/Tidal streaming. They are all streaming the same 24 bit 44.1 khz song format.

 

[Jimbob54]

I think we might be done here.

 

[danadam]

Here is the metadata captured from Foobar2000 windows app. Sorry can't upload it. I didn't create the file, only downloaded it.
Now go to your iphone Music setting to know the downloaded file size. It's only 32.4MB.

View attachment 343240

Based on the screenshot, the uncompressed size is 11'027'647 * 2 *3 = 66'165'882. That gives about 51.4 / 66.1 = 0.77 compression ratio for FLAC and will give 32.4 / 66.1 = 0.49 compression ratio for ALAC if it is the same file. I doubt it is.

 

[antcollinet]

The local FLAC file was played by Flacbox is still better sounding (louder) than Qobuz/Tidal streaming. They are all streaming the same 24 bit 44.1 khz song format.

You are aware. you can listen to the same song with different mastering. Hence possibly different file sizes to start with (before compression by the codec)?

We are trying to determine if this is the case or not. You don't seem to be very willing to help out here by describing (where and which track) the files came from. Perhaps if you provided links that would help us.

If you are not willing to help we'll just conclude the source files are different which explains both the significant file size difference, and your claim that you can hear a difference.

 

[olieb]

I always prefer bigger file size.

Then you should definitely use Audacity to upsample all your files to 384kHz/32bit and wav-format. Maybe you want to use 32 channels too. That will give you really BIG file size.

 

[Deleted member 21114]

Then you should definitely use Audacity to upsample all your files to 384kHz/32bit and wav-format. Maybe you want to use 32 channels too. That will give you really BIG file size.

Did you work for MQA by any chance?

 

[DavidShe]

Hi Everyone,

Is there any real difference between these two? Apart from the obvious … one is more suited to Apple products and the is open source…

Anyone have any opinions?

Thanks

The open source should have a more open and airy sonic presentation. Obviously.

 

[olieb]

The open source should have a more open and airy sonic presentation. Obviously.

But both are open source. The fruit stuff will sound more juicy though, has to.

 

[boxerfan88]

The fruity one won’t sound as good coz someone already took a bite off.