format for the long term use
I am planning to rip most of my CD collection. I am using Mac powerbooks now streaming to Devialet (need to use itunes at least presently). I assume that I need to devote a computer solely for audio soon but I am also thinking to set up a 2nd system. I am excluding anything Microsoft OS but I am tempted by a Linux system.
I consider ripping not an enjoyable enterprise - so I want to do it only once and I want to avoid to have to convert from one codec to another one in the future. I made a few ripping tests with Max, XLD and itunes (not quite sure yet what I prefer). As far I could gather:
FLAC quite universal also as high res. downloads but not for itunes (I found a Flac player for itunes but for phones and pads)
ALAC works with itunes but how about linux
uncompressed:
AIFF again works with Mac but what about linux
WAV (try to avoid MS) and tag problems?
there a lot more (obscure) formats
Ideally I would rip into itunes with AIFF or ALAC and on an external drive with FLAC at the same time but as far I can see neither XLD nor Max can do that.
What is the best guess which format will survive more than a few years?
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