Working with what I've got - new to this! apple/iphone related

[wurmng]

Whats up everybody!?

I'm looking for some advice and know-how to get my audio setup going down the right track. Currently, I have an apple mbp laptop and iphone. I was hoping someone could recommend a good pair of speakers to pair with the laptop.

Also, I need to rip all of my CDs (only 200 or so) to my new laptop. I'd like to stick with using itunes for now because that's what I'm familiar with. What settings can I use within that platform to achieve the best quality music?

I listen to quite a bit of jazz and rock & roll, some acoustic too - alot of various live concert recordings. Not sure if that matters...

From what I could gather (lurking), apple/itunes isn't the best choice for high quality audio but it's what I need to work with (for now), so if anyone can get me started I'd really appreciate it!

I'll check back in everyday or so - so if anyone has questions or needs me to better explain what I'm trying to do, I'll be around. Again, I know I'm new to this so go easy on me!

 

[lsiberian]

Are you looking for something portable or a full on system?

iTunes can be very limiting in file movement so be careful. Be sure you are using 256 kbps and not the standard setup for compression.

 

[wurmng]

lsiberian, thanks for the follow-up.

I listen to a lot of my music on the bus or at work - via the iphone

But, now that I have a laptop that works pretty well (old one was a pile of crap) I would like to get a small setup going at home. I also have the airport extreme from apple (stream?)

So use 256 kbps - what about lossless format?

Thanks again for your reply


Also, I'd be interested in adding two smaller speakers to just run from the laptop... I would spend up to $500 on a pair so where could that get me?

 

[Adam]

Regarding ripping CDs, I recommend using a lossless format if you have the storage space. 200 CDs takes time (I've done it myself), and if you import them as lossless, you can always convert them to lossy formats later - but you can't go lossy to lossless.

Personally, I'd use AIFF, but WAV is another good choice.

 

[wurmng]

Adam, thanks for the advice.

I'm assuming the lossless setting for importing is just a basic preferences change I'll track down in itunes prior to ripping.

What do you mean by AIFF or WAV? Is that another preference I should be setting prior to ripping?

Sorry for the newbie questions but I'm struggling with all the acronyms and what not!

 

[Adam]

Hi. Yes, the "import settings" will let you set what type of files to create when you rip a CD. The available options (at least in my version of iTunes) are AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, and WAV.

I know that AIFF and WAV can be played on different platforms. Apple Lossless might be another good option, but I just don't know have universally playable it is.

 

[wurmng]

I'll just be using my laptop and iphone for now, so as long as lossless is compatible with both I should be fine, right?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'll just be using my laptop and iphone for now, so as long as lossless is compatible with both I should be fine, right?

AIFF and Wave format are lossless, but also uncompressed - 44.1k/16bit (which is how music stored on cd) would take 10MB a minute or about 650MB for whole CD - 200 CD x 650 = 130 GB

Apple lossless or ALAC since Apple open sourced it in 2011 if starting be more and more supported and there are tools to convert alac-flac-wav in any direction without losses

Alac would need about half the space without loosing ANY quality

Apple Lossless - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ski2xblack]

Greetings, wurmng!

Speakers are a very personal thing, and as the greatest determinants of what you hear, you should try to get your ears on some things prior to purchase.

That being said, check out Audio Engine as a prime example of just about exactly what you need. They are a well thought out balance of good looks (bamboo cabs are rather nice looking), versatility (remote control volume, variable sub pre-outs for when you add a powered sub or two, built in amps, ease of use), and decent sonics. They are within your budget (looks like ~$400 for black, ~$470 for bamboo).

Another option would be something like the JBL2328, which are going for $350 from Guitar Center and similar retailers right now. Unfortunately, they only come in black and lack some of the convenience features of the Sound Anchors. These speakers have top notch performance for the price.

Go out and audition some of these. Don't overlook your local musicians/pro-audio retailer, as they carry these and many others.

 

[wurmng]

Thanks everyone for the advice thus far.

Now I'm beginning to think I would run into storage issues depending on format... I have no problem buying a couple external backup storage units to backup these formats that don't compress the music file.

Would it work to have one music library that is setup for the iphone (ACC at 256kbps) and then have another music library storage that is setup for AIFF lossless?

I'm not concerned about getting the utmost highest quality music for my portable device (iphone) but i'd like to have the option to while at home to play higher quality recording. So would adding more storage and basically having two different formats of the same music work?

Again, some of the lingo and logic I'm putting behind this probably sounds retarded to some of you so I apologize!

 

[wurmng]

ski2xblack, i'm really liking the audioengine A5+ powered speakers. What other components that audioengine sells would you recommend? I like their subwoofer and amp as well. Would those all be a good fit together?

Also, I like the option to someday add on the wireless ability with the above equipment.

 

[KEW]

Greetings, wurmng!

Speakers are a very personal thing, and as the greatest determinants of what you hear, you should try to get your ears on some things prior to purchase.

That being said, check out Audio Engine as a prime example of just about exactly what you need. They are a well thought out balance of good looks (bamboo cabs are rather nice looking), versatility (remote control volume, variable sub pre-outs for when you add a powered sub or two, built in amps, ease of use), and decent sonics. They are within your budget (looks like ~$400 for black, ~$470 for bamboo).

Another option would be something like the JBL2328, which are going for $350 from Guitar Center and similar retailers right now. Unfortunately, they only come in black and lack some of the convenience features of the Sound Anchors. These speakers have top notch performance for the price.

Go out and audition some of these. Don't overlook your local musicians/pro-audio retailer, as they carry these and many others.

Both of the above are very good suggestions. You might also want to consider these:
Emotiva Professional, LLC

 

[wurmng]

What do you guys think of the following setup;

- Audioengine 5+ powered speakers
- Audioengine 2 powered desktop speakers
- Audioengine S8 powered subwoofer
- Audioengine D124-Bit computer interface

Would I need to add any other components at this time?
Would everything integrate together properly?
Would 4 speakers be overkill?
Do I need an amp?

I could live without the powered desktop speakers if this hookup couldn't be done.

I want a "wired" system first and foremost while I'm learning and growing my knowledge.

 

[KEW]

What do you guys think of the following setup;

- Audioengine 5+ powered speakers I have the original 5's and they are very good speakers. By all accounts, the 5+ are better!
- Audioengine 2 powered desktop speakers Unless you really are tight on space, stick with the newer model 5+. If money is tight, you can still get the older A5's in the $270-300 range (which is an incredible value).
- Audioengine S8 powered subwoofer Try the 5+'s before buying a sub, you may find they are enough depending on your wants. If you do need a sub, I suspect the S8 is not bad, but feel pretty sure you would do better elsewhere. Plus you can buy a sub custom to your needs. For example if you want this for gaming and have space to dedicate to it, you could get a sub that you feel in your gut for the same price.
- Audioengine D124-Bit computer interfaceI'll defer to others on this question, I simply use mine with the wires included with the A5's and the headphone jack of my laptop.

Would I need to add any other components at this time?The A5+ would do the basic job by themselves
Would everything integrate together properly?
Would 4 speakers be overkill? I'd suggest you buy a pair first then decide if you need another pair. If you buy them at $399 from the Audioholics store, shipping is free, so you save nothing by buying two pairs at once, compared to one pair today and another pair in 2 weeks
Do I need an amp?No

I could live without the powered desktop speakers if this hookup couldn't be done.I'm not sure what you mean. If you have an amp, then you could get by with speakers that are not powered, but if you do not already have an amp, powered speakers really keep the clutter down on your desk. Plus, it is always reassuring to know that the A5+ amp is matched to the A5+ speaker's demands

I want a "wired" system first and foremost while I'm learning and growing my knowledge.

As I see it, the A5's are the foundation of your proposed system. Buy a pair and give yourself time to evaluate them. Then you can decide what you want next (or if you need anything).

 

[wurmng]

anyone have any thoughts or opinions they could share in regards to my proposed file storage idea? I'd appreciate the insight!

 

[cpd]

anyone have any thoughts or opinions they could share in regards to my proposed file storage idea? I'd appreciate the insight!

Spend some time googling lossless vs lossy audio tests and doing some testing of your own. I think you will find that, all other things being equal, there is no discernible difference in audio quality between lossless and high bit rate lossy formats.

In my personal testing I was not able to hear any difference between FLAC and 320 kbs mp3 or AAC files. Do your own testing to find the right bit rate for you.

As other posters have mentioned, one advantage of lossless is that you can always convert to lossy but not the other way around (once the data is gone it cannot be recreated). Than being said, if you are retaining the CD's and hard drive space is an issue, a high bit rate lossy format may serve you just as well with no audible difference in sound quality.

Just my two cents.

 

[Adam]

anyone have any thoughts or opinions they could share in regards to my proposed file storage idea? I'd appreciate the insight!

I like the idea of having the lossless files on external media. You can certainly have two different versions of the files on your two systems (laptop and iPhone).

After having a hard drive stop working on me...the one on which I had loaded all of the lossless files from 200+ CDs...I highly recommend having copies of those files on more than one set of media. You can burn far fewer DVDs, or use two hard drives, for example.

 

[saeyedoc]

Rip to Flac, it's the most widely used lossless format. Then use XLD (free) to transcode to MP3 right into itunes so you can download into your idevices.
I use a Squeezebox to play my lossless audio on my big system.

 

[wurmng]

so itunes will allow me to rip to FLAC but won't allow me to play FLAC through itunes? Or am I completely missing a step in the progression of this whole file conversion... If someone could map this out and dumb it down that'd be really helpful

Like...

step 1 - open itunes
step 2 - insert cd into superdrive
step 3 - ...

step 28 - drink a beer!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Rip to Flac, it's the most widely used lossless format. Then use XLD (free) to transcode to MP3 right into itunes so you can download into your idevices.
I use a Squeezebox to play my lossless audio on my big system.

so itunes will allow me to rip to FLAC but won't allow me to play FLAC through itunes? Or am I completely missing a step in the progression of this whole file conversion... If someone could map this out and dumb it down that'd be really helpful

Like...

step 1 - open itunes
step 2 - insert cd into superdrive
step 3 - ...

step 28 - drink a beer!

iTunes doesn't support rip to Flac as far as I know. what saeyedoc is saying is to use EAC to rip to Flac and if needed convert to Alac
iTunes tutorial: Convert FLAC to ALAC using iTunes - YouTube