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In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, digital audio CODECs take center stage. What are they, how do they work, and why do they sound different? From lossless formats like FLAC and ALAC to lossy ones like MP3 and AAC, we break down how CODECs compress, preserve, or discard data—and what that means for musical detail, space, and realism. Whether you stream or store locally, understanding CODECs helps you hear more of what the music truly holds.
The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
By Paul McGowan4.1
1111 ratings
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, digital audio CODECs take center stage. What are they, how do they work, and why do they sound different? From lossless formats like FLAC and ALAC to lossy ones like MP3 and AAC, we break down how CODECs compress, preserve, or discard data—and what that means for musical detail, space, and realism. Whether you stream or store locally, understanding CODECs helps you hear more of what the music truly holds.
The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

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