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      05-29-2012, 08:23 PM   #1
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Best audio quality from Ipod/USB

What sound format do you use for the best sound quality?

The standard default I tunes format produces only average sound quality in my standard sound system (9 speaker HiFi: Non Harmon Kardon).

I also found using Apple Lossless format, the quality is still inferior to the same music played on the CD.
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      05-29-2012, 08:34 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwphile View Post
What sound format do you use for the best sound quality?

The standard default I tunes format produces only average sound quality in my standard sound system (11 speaker HiFi: Non Harmon Kardon).

I also found using Apple Lossless format, the quality is still inferior to the same music played on the CD.
I don't know about the "best" sound quality, but I find that CD/wave files are good enough for my ears. But even those formats, I don't want to deal with the file sizes. So I'll have a couple CDs around that I know I'll appreciate when I itch for something with great sound. The rest are on my iPod... most of them being Apple lossless.
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      05-30-2012, 11:10 AM   #3
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FYI there is a reason it is called 'lossless'. FLAC and Apple Lossless and WMA lossless are bit perfect copies of wave files (cd or higher) The only limitation the iPod has is that it has a crappy DAC and can only do 24/48 Max.

I only mention FLAC as I use that format in home systems. Otherwise I use apple lossless for my car ipod as well. If you don't have enhanced USB, sound quality will suffer a bit.
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      05-30-2012, 05:02 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by PrazVT View Post
Otherwise I use apple lossless for my car ipod as well. If you don't have enhanced USB, sound quality will suffer a bit.
Thanks PrazVT.

I don't have enhanced USB, but would I get any better quality using a USB drive instead of the IPOD?
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      05-30-2012, 08:49 PM   #5
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In theory yes. The car's DAC should be nicer so music should sound cleaner. Assuming the same format limitations exist in the f30 as my dad's 09 335i, you can at least play wma lossless files (16/44 max resolution). I have a decent amount of hi res music (24 bit) so I will have to downsample those tracks - but everything will be at least CD quality and a digital transfer to the head unit.

I am going to do a little A/B testing this weekend on the 335 again to see how my 24 bit music on the ipod sounds vs 16 bit via USB. I'll report back..
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      05-31-2012, 06:56 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrazVT View Post
In theory yes. The car's DAC should be nicer so music should sound cleaner. Assuming the same format limitations exist in the f30 as my dad's 09 335i, you can at least play wma lossless files (16/44 max resolution). I have a decent amount of hi res music (24 bit) so I will have to downsample those tracks - but everything will be at least CD quality and a digital transfer to the head unit.

I am going to do a little A/B testing this weekend on the 335 again to see how my 24 bit music on the ipod sounds vs 16 bit via USB. I'll report back..
Thanks PrazVT. I look forward to hearing of your results!
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      05-31-2012, 03:56 PM   #7
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Thanks PrazVT. I look forward to hearing of your results!
Sure thing - will update you guys on this on Saturday. I also have another idea ..but I need to check a few things first.

- Praz
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      06-02-2012, 02:00 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrazVT View Post
FYI there is a reason it is called 'lossless'. FLAC and Apple Lossless and WMA lossless are bit perfect copies of wave files (cd or higher) The only limitation the iPod has is that it has a crappy DAC and can only do 24/48 Max.

I only mention FLAC as I use that format in home systems. Otherwise I use apple lossless for my car ipod as well. If you don't have enhanced USB, sound quality will suffer a bit.
How do you use Apple Lossless on your iPod? I went through iTunes and cant find anything.
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      06-02-2012, 10:25 PM   #9
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How do you use Apple Lossless on your iPod? I went through iTunes and cant find anything.
When you rip from a CD in ITunes, there is a button for "import sttings" set this to "Apple Lossles encoder"
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      06-19-2012, 03:00 AM   #10
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yeah or if you are converting from flac you can use dbpoweramp. thus far my f30 isn't able to play wma lossless like my dad's e9x, not sure why. Plus BMW didn't include the iPod adapter. thankfully I just remembered I copied my mp3 80s and classic rock mixed folders to the ssd so we will have some tunes. I am going to experiment a bit tonight when we get to Vienna. Otherwise I have to say the HK system sounds noticeably better than my dad's Infinity/hk system.
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      06-19-2012, 11:30 AM   #11
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The human ear is not capable to hear a difference between 24 and 16 bit, let alone 44 vs. 96 khz.
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      06-19-2012, 12:21 PM   #12
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For what it's worth, I notice a significant difference on the M3's Individual High End Audio system when playing music from a usb hard drive vs. the aux jack.

Sounds obvious, but I didn't realize it until hearing the same songs both ways. I believe playing thru USB (or iPhone, iPod, etc.) preserves the digital output whereas the aux jack translates digital to analog.
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      08-22-2012, 10:39 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrazVT View Post
FYI there is a reason it is called 'lossless'. FLAC and Apple Lossless and WMA lossless are bit perfect copies of wave files (cd or higher) The only limitation the iPod has is that it has a crappy DAC and can only do 24/48 Max.

I only mention FLAC as I use that format in home systems. Otherwise I use apple lossless for my car ipod as well. If you don't have enhanced USB, sound quality will suffer a bit.
Apple Lossless won't play through a USB drive (Although it is okay through the IPOD). So will FLAC & WMA lossless play through the USB?

Thanks for your help.
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      08-23-2012, 12:11 AM   #14
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FLAC won't play over USB in any BMW. WMA lossless (16/44) plays fine in my dad's '09 335i over USB, but it doesn't work in my f30. I'm not sure why - may be something to do with having navigation or enhanced usb?? Wave files should play fine though.

Maybe you guys with nav and/or bmw assist can give it a shot.
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