MP3 and Flac playback from same source?

[CT Jim]

If I take my ITunes MP3 files, and add Flac files of new stuff, do the two playback ok together, such as using a random play mix?
In this case, at 72 my hearing is fine, but the Flac side of the question more so relates to file size, not necessarily quality.
Actually, thinking about this a bit more did I read that ITunes cannot use Flac files?
And if so, does using a different app such as MusicBee or similar work?

 

[highvoltage_]

In this case, at 72 my hearing is fine, but the Flac side of the question more so relates to file size, not necessarily quality.

Some will disagree with you on that.

Actually, thinking about this a bit more did I read that ITunes cannot use Flac files?

Correct, iTunes does not support FLAC.

 

[E-Stat]

Works for me in a LMS environment.

Aside from no longer having to fetch, spin and refile shiny disks, the media server happily plays a mix of content of varying resolutions: 256kbps MP3, 320kbps MP3, 44/16, 44/24,48/24, 88/24, 96/24, 176/24 and 192/24.

 

[gadget73]

most apps that can play both formats can just play them intermixed. iTunes doesn't do FLAC, probably only because Apple wants you to use their equivalent lossless thing. ALAC I think its called?

I use VLC for most media playback, it'll do mp3 and FLAC side by side with no issues.

 

[JoeESP9]

Music Bee plays every format I've thrown at it including FLAC, high res (24/96 and higher), MP3, WAV and dsd/dsf.

 

[CT Jim]

Above I was unclear in my Flac quality statement. I know Flac is better, but I was thinking about the smaller size of Flac files mixed in with MP3s.
Considering how cheap storage is now, size is immaterial

 

[cpt_paranoia]

And if so, does using a different app such as MusicBee or similar work?

Provided the player has the relevant CODECs to support your file types, there will be absolutely no problem playing mixed types in a playlist. MusicBee, MediaMonkey, JRiver, etc. all the independent players will be fine.

I'm sure even iTunes manages to do this for mixed file types, though it may not support FLAC, as Apple have their own ALAC for lossless encoding.

 

[Yamaki]

As others have stated iTunes won't play FLAC so no bueno there.

Any alternate music player software, such as JRiver, Roon, MusicBee & others will play a mix of lossy & lossless (mp3 & FLAC) just fine. The software doesn't care about the size of the file nor do they, for the most part, care about the resolution.

Your gear, such as your DAC outputs, may have some differences in what they will play relative to the bit rate & bit depth of the lossless files (16/44.1 up to 24/192 for instance) which you may have a mix of.