Ideas needed for playing FLAC files

[zenMachine]

I have just received for Christmas the Beatles Remastered Stereo USB apple, in 24-bit FLAC format (as well as the lowly and ancient MP3). It is one awesome sounding collection of some not-so-bad music. Very convenient too. Just pop the USB stick into my laptop and put on my headphones.

Now I wonder what is the best way to play these lossless files in the car. The only thing I can think of so far is to buy a media player that supports FLAC (like a Cowon iAudio) and plug in through the Aux port. But that would still require converting and loading the files to the player.

Would be so much nicer if you could just plug the USB stick into the head unit directly somehow. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks, and merry Christmas to all!

[vertex]

Originally Posted by zenMachine

I have just received for Christmas the Beatles Remastered Stereo USB apple, in 24-bit FLAC format (as well as the lowly and ancient MP3). It is one awesome sounding collection of some not-so-bad music. Very convenient too. Just pop the USB stick into my laptop and put on my headphones.

Now I wonder what is the best way to play these lossless files in the car. The only thing I can think of so far is to buy a media player that supports FLAC (like a Cowon iAudio) and plug in through the Aux port. But that would still require converting and loading the files to the player.

Would be so much nicer if you could just plug the USB stick into the head unit directly somehow. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks, and merry Christmas to all!

Try a SanDisk Sansa:
SanDisk Sansa Clip+ (4GB, red) MP3 player reviews - CNET Reviews

[a_gray_prius]

I'll refrain from going on about how much the Beatles suck and suggest you simply transcode the files into higher quality MP3.

Transcoding everything to everything with MediaCoder | Internetspotter

1. Mediacoder is free software (as in speech and beer)
2. By not buying yet another consumer electronics crap device, you're helping to save the environment just a little bit

[uart]

Originally Posted by a_gray_prius

you simply transcode the files into higher quality MP3.

I don't agree that the Beatles "suck" but +1 on the transcode idea. I recommend using a high quality variable bit rate encoder that gives about 200kbps or higher average bit rate.

Contrary to what marketing people will tell you the fact is that even under the most ideal listening conditions and even with the most discerning listeners, they generally can not distinguish between 16 bit and 24 bit formats under blind testing conditions.

BTW. A car is far from an ideal listening environment. Even in a prius there is enough noise from road and wind and other traffic that you will never be able to tell the difference between high quaility mp3 and 24bit lossless flac.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by uart

... A car is far from an ideal listening environment. Even in a prius there is enough noise from road and wind and other traffic that you will never be able to tell the difference between high quaility mp3 and 24bit lossless flac.

Plus there are more than "enough" distortion introduced by the entire audio system and the cabin environment, unless you custom build the sound system.

[Bob64]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

Plus there are more than "enough" distortion introduced by the entire audio system and the cabin environment, unless you custom build the sound system.

And sound-proof your cabin

[dhancock]

Originally Posted by vertex

Try a SanDisk Sansa:
SanDisk Sansa Clip+ (4GB, red) MP3 player reviews - CNET Reviews

If you are going to go this route, I would suggest the Sansia Fuze (8G instead. It also has a micro SD slot so you can add another 8GB. I have one (& love it). Only "issue" with this (or most any similar device) is that you can't use a cigarette lighter type charger and play the device at the same time (there is a conflict between the ground of the charger and the audio ground of the aux in).

[Bob64]

Originally Posted by dhancock

If you are going to go this route, I would suggest the Sansia Fuze (8G instead. It also has a micro SD slot so you can add another 8GB. I have one (& love it). Only "issue" with this (or most any similar device) is that you can't use a cigarette lighter type charger and play the device at the same time (there is a conflict between the ground of the charger and the audio ground of the aux in).

There's a TSB out for this that fixes the issue. Toyota will fix it for free if your within the warranty period of 3 years and 36000 miles.
Noise from Aux Port (06-08)

They'll install a ground loop isolator for your aux input that'll fix the problem.

[dhancock]

Originally Posted by Bob64

There's a TSB out for this that fixes the issue. Toyota will fix it for free if your within the warranty period of 3 years and 36000 miles.
Noise from Aux Port (06-08)

They'll install a ground loop isolator for your aux input that'll fix the problem.

Good point (unfortunately I am well beyond the warranty - 90K). But that is a problem with any player.

[Bob64]

You can easily buy a ground loop isolator from here (where I bought mine):

PAC SNI-1/3.5 Noise Filter Helps eliminate ground loop noise from your portable music player! (3.5mm plugs) at Crutchfield.com

I could even sell you my lightly-used one at a reasonable price. (didn't need it after i got it fixed under TSB).