Actually, they already have “iTunes Plus” which offers DRM-free AAC tracks encoded at 256k.It's still lossy, though. Compressed to hell. Certainly better than a measly 128, but I don't think the 256 is variable bit rate either, which would have been smarter than the constant bit rate they offer.
It's still lossy, though. Compressed to hell.
True, true.
The thing that bugs me is that even a
lossless recording is compressed. Dynamic compression is so prevalent on modern recordings that you can't really win for losing anymore. They're already squashing the music down horribly, and making the CDs unnecessarily loud.
See this article
As someone who still owns hundreds of vinyl LP and "45" singles, I can say that the digital age isn't all it's cracked up to be. The music itself is mixed and mastered so as to be overly loud and to lose dynamic range, resulting in a harsh, flat, monochromatic, lifeless rendition. Then the MP3, M4P and other digital formats strip out even more detail.
And they want 99 cents per track for that crap? Or for that matter, $16 per CD?
Yes, a lot of today's music is junk. I won't argue that. But the
misuse of digital technology is also stripping the life out of the
good stuff, as well.
I do enjoy my iPod. But...excuse me while I slap on my old LP of The Who's "Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy." :-)