Best method for importing into itunes?

[2A Batterie]

I like my music to sound just like it is on the cd. I certainly can tell when I hear a "lossy" file. I hate generation loss. However, I like having space on my hard drive. Currently I am importing using Apple lossless encoder and I eventually want to get my entire music collection (well over 10,000 songs) onto my hard drive. Is there a way I can import all of these using less space than by importing through Apple lossless? More specifically, could I change the importing method and use a better bit rate or higher khz?

[JOD8FY]

Go into iTunes>Preferences>Importing and select the bit rate to import at.

Otherwise, a nice external HD would suit you nicely... ;)

JOD8FY

[invaLPsion]

Make sure you use AAC as well. I currently have my importer set at 192KBps AAC but I will probably up that to 256KBps. I like to hear my music at high quality. :)

[2A Batterie]

Make sure you use AAC as well. I currently have my importer set at 192KBps AAC but I will probably up that to 256KBps. I like to hear my music at high quality. :)
er.. science can be so.. flaven, layden!... complicated. Will this give me similiar quality to cd?

[LeeTom]

Apple Lossless - CD Quality
Anything else - not quite CD Quality.

That being said, if you want to save space, you may want to try MP3 or AAC at high bitrates. I personally prefer MP3, but I hear AAC gets higher quality at the same bitrates. So you may try AAC at 256, or mp3 at 320. They will save space over Lossless. If I were you, before I started, I would rip a variety of music at a variety of bitrates and formats, and then do a listen test to see where your threshold is.

As for me, I have a pretty expensive stereo setup, and nothing can rival my cd player. I can tell the difference between that and a lossless audio file on my ipod. So I decided to save space and encode everything at 192 MP3. When i really want to listen to the detail and positioning, I go to my stereo.

Lee Tom

[cslewis]

LaCie 1.6 TB External Hard Drive

Hehe, my precious... :p

[crazzyeddie]

If you want CD-quality without Apple Lossless, use 192kbps or higher AAC encoding; it is superior to MP3 and takes much less space that Apple Lossless. Although it is not full CD quality, i seriously doubt you will be able to distinguish it from a CD.

[crees!]

If you want CD-quality without Apple Lossless, use 192kbps or higher AAC encoding; it is superior to MP3 and takes much less space that Apple Lossless. Although it is not full CD quality, i seriously doubt you will be able to distinguish it from a CD.
Agreed. This is what I use when I import my CDs, 192K AAC. MP3 compression destroys the low end.