CDs, mp3s, & flac files

[lewashby]

New here at this forum I hope this was the right place to post these questions.

I play most of my music from a digital media player called an 'iBasso DX50'. I chose this product because it plays .flac files which is what I have been slowly replacing most of my mp3 library with. Even though the .flac format is said to be much superior to the mp3 when I listen to it I still feel like it's missing something compared to a CD. I usually listen in my car using the AUX jack on my CD player. My question is could the AUX cord / jack be the bottleneck to my music quality and if so does anyone have a solution in mind that would allow me to keep playing my iBasso? Thanks.

One other thing. Even better than a .flac file is a .wav file because that's pretty much all a standard CD is playing anyway. One problem I've always had when I tried to rip music to .wav instead of .flac or .mp3 is that the .wav files don't always contain the meta data (artists, album, etc...), and sometimes the rips do contain the meta data. Can anyone explain this inconsistency and explain why a .wav files wouldn't get meta data ripped to it and what if anything can be done about it? Thanks.

 

[Electone]

FLAC should be identical to CD and WAV as it is a lossless compression.

 

[lewashby]

If you're not going to read my post carefully please do not respond. Meta data always shows up in flac files and it only sometimes shows up in wav files, so there is a difference! I also mentioned that my quality problems could be due to AUX, any serious takers?

 

[Leben]

If you're not going to read my post carefully please do not respond. Meta data always shows up in flac files and it only sometimes shows up in wav files, so there is a difference! I also mentioned that my quality problems could be due to AUX, any serious takers?

You may want to soften your tone a bit since you are asking others for advice. Just my opinion. Best of luck getting the answers you desire. Welcome to AK.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

My question is could the AUX cord / jack be the bottleneck to my music quality and if so does anyone have a solution in mind that would allow me to keep playing my iBasso? Thanks.

The jack itself is unlikely to be a problem, and even the AUX cord is unlikely. More likely is poor quality circuitry in the AUX input of your deck or the particular colouration of the iBasso output circuitry is not to your liking. Reviews of the iBasso are good, but some describe it as a bit bright. If your CD player tends toward warmth and the iBasso tends toward bright, that might account for your perception.

One other thing. Even better than a .flac file is a .wav file because that's pretty much all a standard CD is playing anyway. One problem I've always had when I tried to rip music to .wav instead of .flac or .mp3 is that the .wav files don't always contain the meta data (artists, album, etc...), and sometimes the rips do contain the meta data. Can anyone explain this inconsistency and explain why a .wav files wouldn't get meta data ripped to it and what if anything can be done about it? Thanks.

What are you using to rip CDs to .wavs?

Soundwise, .flac and .wav files are identical; they're both lossless formats.

 

[No Money]

What CD player do you use? It could be cables/connectors, but it is also possibly down to differences in the dac in the CD player versus the iBasso.

 

[KrisM]

If metadata is important to you, flac is the way to go. Do some reading on wav and metadata, and your head will hurt. A proper flac file, wav file, and CD will all contain the same data at playback time. The only reason I can see to NOT use flac is if one doesn't have the proper playback "player" for it.

Also, +1 on the question of what you are using to rip. You want detailed answers? Give a detailed description of what you're doing.
When you say some rips to wav have metadata and some don't, where is it that you are getting this metadata in the first place? Is it off of some online database? Or are you just getting it off of the CD itself? Some CDs have that info on them, some don't.
Are all of the rips your own? Different ripping methods produce different results as far as tags are concerned. Different players produce different results, too. I have flac rips that show the cover art when I playback on my computer using VLC, but when I playback on an iphone they don't. I also have flac rips that produce the cover art just fine when played back on the same phone.

I made the choice to go with flac years ago(so I'm not sure how it works with wav), but MP3Tag works well for fixing tags. A bit clunky to get started with IMO, but great when you get the hang of it.

 

[Electone]

If you're not going to read my post carefully please do not respond. Meta data always shows up in flac files and it only sometimes shows up in wav files, so there is a difference! I also mentioned that my quality problems could be due to AUX, any serious takers?

You may wish to construct your questions in a logical manner. You ask about five or six different questions throughout your paragraphs.

Maybe you should ask on Youtube where a$$holes tend to gather.

 

[JoeESP9]

If you're not going to read my post carefully please do not respond. Meta data always shows up in flac files and it only sometimes shows up in wav files, so there is a difference! I also mentioned that my quality problems could be due to AUX, any serious takers?

When people say there is no difference they are referring to the sound. Metadata being there or not has nothing to do with the sound. It's only for tagging files. AFAIK when you rip to .wav format their is no metadata unless it's included in a separate container. Wav files can't internally include tags. The solution is to rip to FLAC. Most rippers will automatically look up and add metadata including album covers for commercial CD's.

FWIW, I suggest EAC (Exact Audio Copy) or FREAC (Free Audio Converter) for straight ripping. In addition many player applications include ripping as part of the application. Two of the best (IMO) are Foobar and JRiver.

 

[Bubbamike]

If you're not going to read my post carefully please do not respond. Meta data always shows up in flac files and it only sometimes shows up in wav files, so there is a difference! I also mentioned that my quality problems could be due to AUX, any serious takers?

I think we found the problem. It isn't the files, it's the listener.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Hi Lewashby,

Welcome to AK. A bit quick to jump on folks who "did not read your thread carefully".... This site has folks who know there audio. I'd not be so quick to respond... Just some food for thought.

To answer your questions:

Question 1:

Q: My question is could the AUX cord / jack be the bottleneck to my music quality and if so does anyone have a solution in mind that would allow me to keep playing my iBasso? Thanks.

A: Yes the chord could be part of your issue. Doubt it though… The issue is hardware related. The unit is designed to be a HiRez player for headphones. One way to test the theory would be to throw on some headphones… How is the sound while using headphones? If good, you know the issue is not your player.

If I had to guess, the sound sounds flat and lacking the top end when playing in your car, and or a home amp.

You can adjust the EQ, that will help a little. Lower the bass, and crank up the upper range.

Question 2: you will get the media data in a separate txt file. The txt file will need to be linked to the original file. Also depending on the software being used to rip and convert can change the end file. Same with ripping video. What software are you using?

For question 1, are you using the player in your car, and home system?

Try using an standard iPod and see if your sound quality improves… Mind you iPod won’t play FLAC. But if you can play a standard MP3 on a iPod, and if it sounds good, you know your player is not designed to be ran to a car stereo, and or a home amp.... Also, check the EQ on the Player itself. Try changing it to different settings, that may help a little.

Kind Regards,
John

 

[E-Stat]

Even though the .flac format is said to be much superior to the mp3 when I listen to it I still feel like it's missing something compared to a CD.

The problem is most likely in the player used, not the format.

I usually listen in my car using the AUX jack on my CD player. My question is could the AUX cord / jack be the bottleneck to my music quality and if so does anyone have a solution in mind that would allow me to keep playing my iBasso? Thanks.

I'll echo an earlier comment - not likely. What is most likely relates to my first observation about the player. A $230 player is not going to tell you what a FLAC file is capable of.

Even better than a .flac file is a .wav file because that's pretty much all a standard CD is playing anyway.

Sorry, but you're mistaken. FLAC is a lossless format that can perform at an equivalent level if you use better hardware. FLAC is also not limited to a 16/44 format. I have dozens of much higher and better sounding recordings captured at 24/96 or 24/192.

One problem I've always had when I tried to rip music to .wav instead of .flac or .mp3 is that the .wav files don't always contain the meta data (artists, album, etc...), and sometimes the rips do contain the meta data.

A WAV file will never contain metadata. The 1980 Redbook standard never included such.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

A WAV file will never contain metadata.

WAV files can contain metadata. E.g., see http://wavmetadata.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[E-Stat]

WAV files can contain metadata.

When converted to a BWF format, yes.

Let's revisit the OP's comments:

"One problem I've always had when I tried to rip music to .wav instead of .flac or .mp3 is that the .wav files don't always contain the meta data"

One must have a BWF enabled ripper and deliberately select that format instead of WAV.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

When converted to a BWF format, yes.

Let's revisit the OP's comments:

"One problem I've always had when I tried to rip music to .wav instead of .flac or .mp3 is that the .wav files don't always contain the meta data"

One must have a BWF enabled ripper and deliberately select that format instead of WAV.

Yup, BWF is an extension to WAV that standardises the location and format of WAV metadata. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAV#Metadata That's why I asked what ripper the OP was using -- some assume BWF and some don't.

 

[E-Stat]

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAV#Metadata .

Perhaps you missed the embedded link in my post.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Perhaps you missed the embedded link in my post.

I saw it. I was simply making it clear, for anyone who might be interested, that BWF is a standardisation of the existing -- emphasis on existing -- metadata capability of WAV files. Indeed, for some software packages you needn't even be aware of it. For example, you can create a WAV file in Audacity, annotate it with metadata, and save it as a WAV file without being aware that the metadata is BWF. Furthermore, that WAV file will be playable by BWF-unaware software, but obviously it won't be metadata-aware either.

 

[lewashby]

I'm using the mid

The jack itself is unlikely to be a problem, and even the AUX cord is unlikely. More likely is poor quality circuitry in the AUX input of your deck or the particular colouration of the iBasso output circuitry is not to your liking. Reviews of the iBasso are good, but some describe it as a bit bright. If your CD player tends toward warmth and the iBasso tends toward bright, that might account for your perception.

What are you using to rip CDs to .wavs?

Soundwise, .flac and .wav files are identical; they're both lossless formats.[/QUO

The jack itself is unlikely to be a problem, and even the AUX cord is unlikely. More likely is poor quality circuitry in the AUX input of your deck or the particular colouration of the iBasso output circuitry is not to your liking. Reviews of the iBasso are good, but some describe it as a bit bright. If your CD player tends toward warmth and the iBasso tends toward bright, that might account for your perception.

What are you using to rip CDs to .wavs?

Soundwise, .flac and .wav files are identical; they're both lossless formats.

I'm using the Banshee media player.

 

[lewashby]

I am using the media player Banshee to rip my CDs into .flac or .wav files. I don't know where the meta data is coming from, CD or some online server but my .flac rips pretty much always have the meta data but the .wav files may or may not get the meta data after ripping.

 

[jefrodigital]

I would say the issue is the fact that you are using the aux jack.

Does your player have an line output or are you going from the headphone jack? If headphone the sound is being converted in your player then amped. That amped signal is now going to your car stereo then being amped again. What volume level are you at? I find setting it to about 75-80% yields a nice strong signal that can be raised on your car stereo without adding distortion.

I've never been a big fan of aux inputs due to having to adjust volume in 2 places to ensure good sound.