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I'm a little frustrated that the PS3 won't play lossless formats. Anyone know whether there are plans to resolve this in a future update?

[quote user="PJPro"]I'm a little frustrated that the PS3 won't play lossless formats. Anyone know whether there are plans to resolve this in a future update?[/quote] Its a good question. You would hope so. I have since bought a squeezebox so its not such an issue for me now.

I ended up putting Yellowdog Linux on the PS3, which enabled me to play FLAC files, but its a little clumsy, and you need a keyboard and mouse. If you play alot of games, it can be a drag keep swapping between operating systems. Its not for the non-technically minded either.

Also the best place for info regarding PS3 is on the dedicated forums there...(athough wading through the dross can be a pain)

Happy with the technical aspects (into IT) but sort of expect lossless capability out of the box.

[quote user="PJPro"]Happy with the technical aspects (into IT) but sort of expect lossless capability out of the box.[/quote] I would have liked it too, but I guess they figure that a 60 GB (now 40), isnt gonna hold much music losslessly... Also, if you rip your MP3s properly, theres nothing in it quality wise, without adding a decent external DAC, and even then its a close thing. In the end they were selling a very high spec games machine/ media centre.

I bet FLAC will appear sometime soon though.

[quote user="fr0g"]... Also, if you rip your MP3s properly, theres nothing in it quality wise...[/quote] I rip my cds using WMP 11 into wma files (192kbps (best quality)).

Any recommendations?

[quote user="PJPro"][quote user="fr0g"]... Also, if you rip your MP3s properly, theres nothing in it quality wise...[/quote] I rip my cds using WMP 11 into wma files (192kbps (best quality)).

Any recommendations?[/quote] ah... Possibly the worst available ripper.

also wma might be better than mp3 at low bitrates, but not better than LAME mp3s anythinng above 128 imo, and is tied to Microsoft. I always try to stick with open codecs... MP3, FLAC etc. Get a hold of EAC (Exact audio copy)

Look at this guide...Bestmp3guide

I personally use a higher LAME setting than that, and the later version, but its a great startup guide.

EAC will operate in 'secure mode' - which doesnt allow read errors (which WMP does), so you get a 'perfect rip'

a 190 VBR MP3 done this way (as in the guide), is very close to CD quality. It gets closer as you up the bitrate...

Theres a list of LAME settings here...

Thanks for that fr0g.

I have done as you suggested. In fact, I already had EAC v0.99 prebeta 4 installed but after a quick play couldn't get it to work. Following Chris Myden's instructions it is now working. I did have an issue however with the cmd line args being ignored but I seem to have overcome that!

Do I notice any difference between wma 192 kbps and mp3 VBR 245 kbps? Errr, no.

I'm using Grado SR80s, so no problem there. Might be my sound card - Xfi Xtreme Gamer with no DAC. The Track? Wolfmother - Woman. My ears/brain? Can't be ruled out!

Any ideas?

[quote user="PJPro"]Thanks for that fr0g.

I have done as you suggested. In fact, I already had EAC v0.99 prebeta 4 installed but after a quick play couldn't get it to work. Following Chris Myden's instructions it is now working. I did have an issue however with the cmd line args being ignored but I seem to have overcome that!

Do I notice any difference between wma 192 kbps and mp3 VBR 245 kbps? Errr, no.

I'm using Grado SR80s, so no problem there. Might be my sound card - Xfi Xtreme Gamer with no DAC. The Track? Wolfmother - Woman. My ears/brain? Can't be ruled out!

Any ideas?[/quote] Oh boy am i tired. and about to hit the hay... anyway..No, you possibly wont tell the difference. And not between wma192, and 190 VBR either. But EAC/LAME will give you 'generally' better results... WMP will ignore errors, where EAC (using the right settings), wiill reject them, and retry. This is especially usefull when ripping to lossless, or WAV, where you end up with a perfect bit for bit copy of a CD. *edit - And yes - A creative soundcard is on a par with lets say an iPod, or creative mp3 player... good, but lacking, compared to a decent dedicated DAC/ CD pllayer. For my money, an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for around £50 DESTROYS anything that creative have offered so far (and I really rate creativve mp3 players)....

And even then, a simple addition of the Beresford will improve matters.

Also... Yes - SR80s are nice HPs (I have Sen 595's), and the addition of the beresford really helps... Its a good VFM DAC , and not a bad Headphone amp.. so it would almost certainly help if you use such a nice set of headphones from the PC.

ok...must... sleep...

Thanks fr0g.

I almost bought a Beresford yesterday....only PayPal prevented me - I don't like PayPal much!

In truth, I'm building up to some rather extravegant purchases (for me at any rate) in the near future and I might be a little strapped for cash.

Incidently, from Andrew's thread, I notice that you hail from Wigan. I used to live just down the road at Ormskirk.

:O)

Small world etc :)

I am listening to the Beresford as I type... And compared to the Trends Audio thingy which I took a punt on, its like butter compared to bad margarine.

For £100 ish it makes me just want to smile.

*edit... I went through Ormskirk often going to Southport on my Honda Hornet :)

So that was you tearing up and down the high street.

[quote user="PJPro"]So that was you tearing up and down the high street.[/quote] lol, no. Never speed in built up areas.

Been thinking about the sqeezebox duet as a way around this compression issue.

My CDP is an Arcam Alpha 7SE. Given recent developments, I don't think I'll be buying another CDP. The squeezebox duet seems like a good alternative source, complete with Beresford DAC ofcourse, allowing me to stream lossless files.

The PS3 would still perform streaming duties.....although this would be limited to photos, home movies, etc.

Any thoughts?