I know this isn't a true test but I just wanted people to know there's NO difference in audio quality from a AIFF to a ALAC or FLAC.
I did a test where I listen to an AIFF file prior to compressing the file in a RAR format. I then got the audio and file properties from the uncompressed file as you can see below, Then compressed the file with WinRAR and got the file properties from the RAR file as that's the only information I could get as you can see the file size is smaller than when the file is uncompressed (no kidding). I then uncompressed the file and got the audio and file properties as you can see nothing changes. I compared the uncompressed file and the uncompressed RAR file...I could not here any difference after listening and comparing for around 20 minutes.
So my point here is there's no audio quality difference when the file is decoding on the fly or not decoding on the fly. The audio quality is still the same. So when people on this forum say I can hear the difference etc. etc. it must be in your imagination or you want to believe the AIFF/WAV file sounds better because it’s uncompressed format and your mind is saying uncompressed is better than compressed.
A true test is going to be where you should get your friend to play three files one in AIFF format and the other two in ALAC and FLAC format. Let your friend know which format you think sounds better (In this case AIFF) and without looking get your friend to play the three formats, after listening the songs then pick which one you think is the better sounding format, I bet you will pick the format that you didn’t expect or can't decide because they all sound the same. You might have to do it a few times. Let us know how you go!!
[uncompressed]
Carl Riseley - This Guy's In Love With You ripped with dbpoweramp converter in secure mode
Fie Properties: Size 44.9MB (47,119,618 bytes)
Audio Properties:
Artist Carl Riseley
Title This Guy's In Love With You
Album The Rise
Track 08/12
Disc 1
Genre Swing
Year 2008
Rating
Composer
Size 44.93 MB (0% Compressed)
Original Size 44.93 MB
Length 4 minutes 27 seconds
Channels 2 (stereo)
Sample Rate 44.1 KHz{CR}
Sample Size 16 bit
Bit Rate 1,411 kbps
Encoder
Encoder Settings NONE (no compression)
Audio Quality CD (Lossless)
Contains ID Tag [iTunes ID3]
Channel Mapping Left, Right
File 08 Carl Riseley - This Guy's In Love With You
Type AIFF [.aif]
Length 267360
[Compressed with WinRAR]
Carl Riseley - This Guy's In Love With You ripped with dbpoweramp converter in secure mode
Compressed file with WinRar
Fie Properties: 29.1MB (30,527,287 bytes)
[uncompressed RAR file]
File Properties: 44.9MB (47,119,618 bytes) (Same file size when file is uncompressed)
Audio Properties:
Artist Carl Riseley
Title This Guy's In Love With You
Album The Rise
Track 08/12
Disc 1
Genre Swing
Year 2008
Rating
Composer
Size 44.93 MB (0% Compressed)
Original Size 44.93 MB
Length 4 minutes 27 seconds
Channels 2 (stereo)
Sample Rate 44.1 KHz{CR}
Sample Size 16 bit
Bit Rate 1,411 kbps
Encoder
Encoder Settings NONE (no compression)
Audio Quality CD (Lossless)
Contains ID Tag [iTunes ID3]
Channel Mapping Left, Right
File 08 Carl Riseley - This Guy's In Love With You
Type AIFF [.aif]
Length 267360