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Topic: qaac.exe vs. iTunes Plus AAC Preset Encoding (Read 9070 times) previous topic - next topic
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qaac.exe vs. iTunes Plus AAC Preset Encoding

Hello,

I currently encode and backup my music files to FLAC.

I then convert those files to ALAC and drop them into iTunes.  I then use iTunes to convert the files to AAC using the iTunes Plus preset for my iPod.

Would converting the FLAC files directly to AAC TVBR with a quality at around 256 using the qaac.exe extension create almost identical files?  It would save me a few steps and some time in the conversion process.

I did a test and tried to ABX 2 different tracks (electronic music with some crazy sounds) and I got 5/10 and 6/10... So, not very convincing. 

While conducting the test, I could tell a small difference between the two tracks when flipping back and forth, but I couldn't replicate it from track to track...

Has anyone else tested this or have any experience?
JXL




Re: qaac.exe vs. iTunes Plus AAC Preset Encoding

Reply #2
While conducting the test, I could tell a small difference between the two tracks when flipping back and forth, but I couldn't replicate it from track to track...

The small difference could come from the use of smart padding. Qaac enables smart padding as a default setting. If you want you can disable smart padding with the --no-smart-padding option. This should achieve bit-identical result as iTunes (quotet from the qaac encoder configuration page)


Re: qaac.exe vs. iTunes Plus AAC Preset Encoding

Reply #3
Thank you for replying.  I will try it with the --no-smart-padding option later tonight. :)
JXL

Re: qaac.exe vs. iTunes Plus AAC Preset Encoding

Reply #4
Ran some tests last night and have to say that I now am in love with qaac.exe.

I tested a bunch of tracks and am going to leave the smart padding option enabled.  It fixed the playback on a few discs that my iPod would get stuck when transitioning from one track to the next of a gapless album.  It's one of those 50 track DJ mix albums with lots of short/edited tracks with fast transitions.  It works like a charm now though. :)
JXL