256kbps M4A (MP4 is different-ish; commonly used for video files)

which is equivalent to 320kbps MP3, which is commonly agreed to be as near to CD quality as most ears can hear. The file sizes are thus smaller, which is why Apple use it. No DRM these days either. I rip all my CDs to 256 M4A as it happens - good quality for best space usage.

I thought most players would play M4A these days - it's by no means a proprietary standard as you seem to be suggesting.

You're right though, iTunes is near CD prices for lower (albeit good) quality and no packaging. But this is true for all (legal) MP3 stores

Posted By: BerlinCanary, Oct 19, 12:07:24