Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Lossless (ALAC) iTunes downloads?

I recently started re-importing my CDs as lossless ALAC files, which are both much bigger and sound much clearer than the default 256 kbps compressed files. Is there a way to change the iTunes store setting so if I purchase music it downloads lossless? Or am I stuck with 256k or going old-school and buying a whole CD when I only want one song? Thanks!

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 18, 2010 6:15 PM

Reply
89 replies

Jan 31, 2017 3:51 AM in response to Turbojugend27

Turbojugend27 wrote:


Isn't that just taking the lossy file and making it an ALAC file? You aren't getting lossless, you are just creating a larger file of a song that is already compressed.

You're correct, of course, though you are answering a six-year-old post and the subject was discussed in considerable detail in the subsequent posts. The OP was asking about ripping CDs, and obviously there it's advantageous to use a non-lossy format to maintain the quality. Others have had to be disabused of the notion that you can in effect 'uncompress' a compressed audio file. Confusion with zipping, I suppose: audio compression is a quite different animal.

Nov 3, 2017 8:28 PM in response to luismarcilio

luismarcilio wrote:


Can't believe I'm the only one who liked this answer.


Hi Luis,


This thread is now over 7 years old but the story is still the same: the iTunes Store does not sell lossless downloads.


However, music download stores that sell lossless downloads are nowadays more likely to offer ALAC as well as FLAC. I have noticed this on Bandcamp and many other sites.

Nov 19, 2010 5:17 PM in response to klbnc

klbnc wrote:
Is there a way to change the iTunes store setting so if I purchase music it downloads lossless?


Yes. Click the little X at the upper right of iTunes, and buy from one of the online music download stores that sell in lossless format. Examples are hdtracks.com, livedownloads.com, beatport.com, and classicalshop.net.

These all sell by individual track. They do however, have higher prices and narrower selections than mass-market shops such as the iTunes Store and the Amazon.com MP3 Download Store.

Feb 4, 2011 8:04 AM in response to mgerbasio

Looking at this thread, if I purchase an album from iTunes how can I see if it is lossless or lossy compression?

They only sell lossy AAC.

what about DRM, is there any way to tell what is DRM free?

I am pretty sure all of the music sold now is DRM free. Video is all DRM protected. (Somebody who actually buys from the ITMS please correct me if these are oversimplifications!)

Aug 5, 2011 7:31 AM in response to jehany

jehany wrote:


Click the little X at the upper right of iTunes, and buy from one of the online music download stores that sell in lossless format.

I am sorry but I do not find this "X" on the upper right corner to buy from hdtracks or others.

Any help welcome ;-)

I believe eed2345 was suggesting you quit iTunes and purchase from somewhere else besides the iTunes store.

Jan 7, 2012 8:01 AM in response to klbnc

As a music lover myself I know what you mean regarding lossless. Listening to a friends iTunes download I realised that he had cloth ears as I could clearly hear the lack of clarity and poor, muddy detail. Consequently I never purchase music downloads from iTunes. I buy CDs and rip them myself using lossless settings. Apple have always had a thing about thinking that if it was good enough for them it was good enough for everyone. There is also the question of file size and time taken to download these files. Neither of which I give a stuff about. It seems to me apple want to make sure they dont lose the cloth eared fraternity who seem able to listen to anything even a tinny mobile playing distorted music at its maximum volume through its tiny little speaker. Apple would rather lose revenue from the discerning listeners than the majority of people who are happy with audio quality which is nowhere near CD quality.

Lossless (ALAC) iTunes downloads?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.