source file example: 16-bit export of a multitrack converted midi via Garageband
AIFF through quicktime = best
ALAC through quicktime = weaker
AIFF through VLC = weaker
ALAC through VLC = weaker
I have no idea why, but I am noticing more depth, particularly in the treble, and more volume -- with the .AIF through Quicktime. I assume this must be related to the decoding/player processing. I know VLC tends to skip more than Quicktime when the hard drive (or possibly CPU) is busy, which points toward the use of buffering (or perhaps just process priority differences). Buffering, I assume, could have some effect. But, why would .AIF through Quicktime sound better?
I realize people have done testing to demonstrate that ALAC is lossless, so it must have to do with the playback processing.
I've noticed this for years but I kept ignoring it because whenever I'd read what others had to say they were so adamant that ALAC files sound exactly the same as AIFF, but my ears say otherwise. I tried VLC because someone online said they also noticed an inferior sound quality with ALAC through Quicktime and said VLC sounds right. Well, I found that VLC merely plays both AIFF and ALAC with the same sound quality reduction.
If you're going to post snarky things like "it's all in your head", please don't bother. If, however, you have something constructive that will help, I'd appreciate it. I really don't want to have to go back to uncompressed audio. Maybe I should try out FLAC to see if there's a difference...
AIFF through quicktime = best
ALAC through quicktime = weaker
AIFF through VLC = weaker
ALAC through VLC = weaker
I have no idea why, but I am noticing more depth, particularly in the treble, and more volume -- with the .AIF through Quicktime. I assume this must be related to the decoding/player processing. I know VLC tends to skip more than Quicktime when the hard drive (or possibly CPU) is busy, which points toward the use of buffering (or perhaps just process priority differences). Buffering, I assume, could have some effect. But, why would .AIF through Quicktime sound better?
I realize people have done testing to demonstrate that ALAC is lossless, so it must have to do with the playback processing.
I've noticed this for years but I kept ignoring it because whenever I'd read what others had to say they were so adamant that ALAC files sound exactly the same as AIFF, but my ears say otherwise. I tried VLC because someone online said they also noticed an inferior sound quality with ALAC through Quicktime and said VLC sounds right. Well, I found that VLC merely plays both AIFF and ALAC with the same sound quality reduction.
If you're going to post snarky things like "it's all in your head", please don't bother. If, however, you have something constructive that will help, I'd appreciate it. I really don't want to have to go back to uncompressed audio. Maybe I should try out FLAC to see if there's a difference...