Quote:

>>> what bit rate is used for the compressed files?
Different rates are used for the files. Stereo ones use more of course. Compression rates are in the 64 to 128 range.



Sorry to beat this one to death, but I just want to make sure I understand correctly. Are you saying that the bit rates used are comparable to the bit rate used in the old (non- ITunes plus) songs you'd buy from ITunes (which were 128 kbps stereo files typically?) I understand that this breaks down to the same as having a 64 kbps bit rate file for the Left channel, and a 64 kbps bit rate file for the Right channel, so for instruments recorded in mono, 64 kbps compression would be comparable to the quality when listening to a sound source on one channel of an old iTunes store-purchased stereo song (like a guitar panned all the way to the left for example).

If this is the case, then I would think that the fidelity would be substantially higher in the audiophile versions, not simply a difference only noticed by those doing critical recordings. I would think that given the target audience of this product, many (if not most) customers would be able to hear some of the unpleasant sound qualities like those in the old iTunes store files, when listening with earphones or speakers.

I'm sure you've had to strike a balance between file size and quality, but it seems like there's a lot of area between the 64-128 kbps range and the AIFF file. I just want to make sure I understand this correctly.

Cheers,
Jeff