To iTunes or not to iTunes

[Sloppy Joe]

Hi, new here.

I looked through most topics but could not find a direct answer to the following issue at hand.
I am currently ripping my CD collection (around 1100...) using dBpoweramp and ripping to FLAC in order to save space.

Once this is done I am wondering how I should access the hundreds of files on my portable HD.
I know VLC plays back FLAC files but WMP does not. I don't know wether iTunes plays back FLAC files.

I would like to set up a system in which I can playback the files in different rooms on regular analog equipment using something to be purchased and connected to the aux inputs. This could be something like a bluetooth transceiver connected to a DAC connected to the amplifier.

In order to scroll through the files and make a choice which CD to play, or in which order or set it to random play, I would love to use an iPad as controller. But... I do not like iTunes so much, since Apple changes that program every so now and then which screws up earlier settings. Is there an alternative?

Thanks for your advice

SJ

[Spoon]

Re: To iTunes or not to iTunes

Apple lossless might be your best codec, as WMP can be made to work with it, and the other 2 will be default.

[Sloppy Joe]

Re: To iTunes or not to iTunes

Apple lossless might be your best codec, as WMP can be made to work with it, and the other 2 will be default.

Thanks, but is Apple lossless saving me as much space as FLAC does? What are the differences between these two in compression ratios?

[linkman]

Re: To iTunes or not to iTunes

Thanks, but is Apple lossless saving me as much space as FLAC does? What are the differences between these two in compression ratios?

You should find that Apple Lossless and FLAC come out with very similar file sizes. Most people report that they are within 5% of each other. You should try a few discs for yourself in both codecs and see what results you obtain.

I have heard that a plug-in is available to get iTunes to play FLAC (Bitperfect, Mac OS X only, https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitp...55545700?mt=12). I don't have experience with it.