How To Convert HDtracks FLAC High Resolution Downloads and Add to iTunes (Video with Commentary)

Two questions:<br />
<br />
1. I have a Sqeezebox Touch which will play 24/96 flac directly, and sonds great. However, while the documentation says it will play hi-rez flacs natively, and it plays ALAC (all my music other than what I have downloaded from HD Music in flac form) in 16/44.1, will it play ALAC in 24/96? From the info, I don't get the sense it will play hi-rez ALAC. Anyone have experience? <br />
<br />
2. Why not just use fluke in iTunes to play flac natively? Do you lose 24/96 capability? <br />
<br />
Thanks

Chris,<br />
thanks for this tutorial, it's crystal clear. I followed along & every indication is that every thing is ok, but into the conversion I get this error message : "The variable audio_item is not defined." Any idea what this means & how to solve problem?<br />
<br />
thanks<br />
<br />
Peter

thx this is very helpful.<br />
could you also advise how I can convert my 2TB flac into AIFF. I hope there is an automatic way to convert it without the need to select manual sample rate <br />

<i>"how I can convert my 2TB flac into AIFF. I hope there is an automatic way to convert it without the need to select manual sample rate"</i><br />
<br />
I guess you mean <i>"without the need to select manual</i> <b>sample-size</b><i>"</i> because Max currently will match the sample rate, but not the sample-size (AKA bit-depth), automatically when converting to AIFF.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder">XLD</a> will do it, assuming it can read the current format of your files.<br />

XLD also seems to do a better job checking the integrity of the data. I've had Max happily convert "broken" FLAC files to AIFF while XLD will let me know there's a problem with the file.<br />
<br />
Kuma

Hey ted_b,<br />
<br />
Thanks for your response titled "Phil C. and anyone else on a Windows pc, it's REAL simple."<br />
<br />
As you suggested, I used dbPoweramp to convert 24/96 FLAC files to Apple Lossless and imported them into iTunes on Win 7. iTunes reports they are still hi-rez and they play just fine. Now if I can just be sure that iTunes on Win 7 is playing them back in hi-rez I'll be a happy guy.<br />
<br />
Phil C<br />
<br />
<em> iTunes with Win 7 PC > USB cable > Benchmark DAC1 HDR <em>

I am fuzzy on differences if any between these for input into iTunes. Have been converting my FLACs into ALACs using XLD. Terrific program. To be save rename any cover art jpgs to cover.jpg and it grabs them every time. Used Max a little but love XLD.<br />
<br />
So, should I start converting to AIFF instead of ALAC?

I've been interested in this but could not find this page. <br />
<br />
Is this a trusted link to download XLD? All I've found so far was some Japanese site that looks strange. <br />
<br />
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder

Here's the site that's on the About page of the SW:<br />
<br />
http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html<br />

I tried downloading XLD on 5 separate occasions. <br />
<br />
It will not rip a single CD. Gets stuck every time at<br />
<br />
"Detecting Pre-Gap".<br />
<br />
xACT smokes it in every way, especially for file conversion.

Hi Leo Pard - Based on your previous posts here you have trouble with Max and XLD but continue to suggest xACT is the best ever. Do you have a vested interest in xACT or something against the other applications? Max and XLD seem to work wonderful for everyone else.

Chris,<br />
<br />
You know a Leo Pard can't change his spots.<br />
<br />
(Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)<br />
<br />
K

Hi Chris:<br />
<br />
I have zero affiliation what so ever with xACT. And if I did, what would I gain, it is free ware.<br />
<br />
For me it is lightning quick, has an incredible amount of useful utilities, and never crashes.<br />
<br />
FYI, I have a 10 month old Mac Mini with all the latest updates and still could not get XLD to function on 5 separate downloads.<br />
<br />
I am open to suggestions.

Hi Chris<br />
As a newcommer with lot of entusiasm but less competance in computers I was happy to discover your excelent video. Even I could understand what to do.<br />
I downloaded Max from sbooth.org, but Max is a Mac program. I have a PC using Windows 7. I cross my fingers and hope that you please could enlighten me what to do? I use MediaMonkey to play the FLAC files. <br />
<br />
Kind regards<br />
Bjorn

It is not only the best or tied with the best cd ripper in PC land, but also converts to any format. In its best package it includes a batch converter that is very easy to use for multiple albums.

Hi Ted<br />
Thanks!<br />
I just converted Layla from FLAC to 16 bit AIFF using DBPoweramp. I worked perfect!

I was thrilled to have found out about Max, but I have had no success so far. <br />
<br />
First, it wouldn't even open the FLAC files that were in the HDTracks free sample download; Max said "The document “5-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Viol.flac” could not be opened. The file does not contain an embedded cue sheet." This was the case for every file.<br />
<br />
I don't know what that means. <br />
<br />
Second, even though I created an account on Musicbrainz, and put the info into Max, no album info was found for the very first CD I tried to rip: Pepe Romero's "La Paloma." It turns out Musicbrainz doesn't have the info. Yet, iTunes has no trouble at all finding the album metadata. Isn't it on the CD anyway? <br />
<br />
Very disappointed.<br />

Save your self the aggravation. Dump MAX. Anything from that download page is crap.<br />
<br />
xACT is an amazing tool. Never crashes and does EVERTHING.

Try dropping the file onto the Max icon. Make sure to set the sample size to 24-bits first.<br />
<br />
You can also try using XLD.<br />
<br />
Stay away from xACT. It's crap.

Leo Pard - I think everyone has had enough of your simple suggestions to "dump MAX" every time you see someone with a MAX issue. You're really not helping anyone without offering reasons why MAX should be "dumped". MAX creator Steven Booth is a frequent contributor to this site and has built very good applications. 99.999% of people here who have used MAX have no problems. <br />
<br />
I don't mind that you really love xACT and profess this love every time you post. From now on please give reasons why xACT will help the specific person posting in his specific circumstance.