and as far as I am aware from reading the threads and websites people have posted, apple lossless like flac allows for some compression of the data, but doesn't lose any quality of the original cd format. Correct?
There are two formats from Apple, one is ACC (I think) which is a lossy compressed format, and the other is typically referred to as
Apple Lossless. One would assume it is called "Apple
Lossless" because no data is lost. The Apple Lossless is the preferred format for high quality listening.
MP3 and ACC are fine for an iPod player as these are typically used outside or in other noisy areas that prevent full fidelity anyway. For causal listening ACC and Hi-Bit MP3 are fine. But for serious home listening, you definitely want Lossless files, and now that they are become more available, if possible you want high bit and sample rates. (24b/96k, etc...)
I believe, if you join
HDTracks.com, you can download a free sample pack of Hi-Res audio files. I don't think membership costs anything, nor are there any buy requirements. You simply have your necessary data on file should you decide to buy something.
Do keep in mind there are no hardware players for High Resolution computer download files. That is, yes, there are Hi-Res BluRay, and SACD, but these are not computer download files. Digital technology has outstripped hardware technology, and making hardware players like SACD requires that all players conform to a fixed standard. Where as, computer based files and players have the versatility to adapt to any new file format that comes out. And most streaming player, like Sonos or Logitech, play multiple common formats.
Fix hardware standards like SACD are simply too ridge to work in the modern world. Though I think both SACD and BluRay still have market potential as the world moves beyond the iPod Generation. The iPod Generation is growing up and as such there standards are becoming much higher, and they are demanding better sound quality.
Since BluRay player are likely to become common in every home, that represents a widely accepted standard that has outstanding audio quality. There are already a few Artist experimenting with BluRay-Audio releases.
SACD is already established but appeared on the cusp of digital downloads, that the prevented its wide acceptance. However, there are far more titles available than people imagine, and it is NOT simply limited to Classical music.
Here is a pretty extensive list of available SACD Titles -
SACD at Music Direct
Just to list the first few artists you will find at this link -
Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, Cat Stevens, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Santana, Billy Joel, Jame Taylor, Miles Davis, etc.... Admittedly, you probably won't find
One Direction or
Justin Bieber but do you really care?
I believe the world is certainly moving to pure digital files with no physical format. That allows for tremendous versatility in playback since it is mostly computer driven.
However, I haven't completely given up on physical formats. Both BluRay and SACD have tremendous potential as multi-channel ultra High Resolution audio playback, and the ability to include video at no substantial cost to audio bandwidth.
CD could have had a longer life if they had tried to improve and maximize its sound quality rather than taking the
good enough attitude that is seems they have taken. Modern CD is driven my marketing and not by sound quality, which is sad.
Of course, that's just my opinion.
Steve/bluewizard