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Those formats include Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC), Shorten, Apple Lossless, and Windows Media Audio Lossless.
In a test, all of these provided perfect reproductions of such recordings as Pachelbel's Canon, Nora Jones's runaway hits and some seminal Bruce Springsteen.
The Shorten format has been around for a while and requires users to perform several steps to create files from a CD that most of the other high-fidelity file creation tools automate. Be careful, though, as some of the software may intimidate all but the geekiest music lovers. For more about Shorten, visit http:/
FLAC is an "open-source" format, which means that anyone can use it for free, and that has led to a number of free software titles becoming available. Visit http:/
Most of the software for creating FLAC files also provides straightforward tools for converting songs into more compact formats. This is useful for those interested in storing their music with superior sound quality on a computer but want the flexibility to create smaller copies of some tracks for loading onto portable players.
The Windows Media Lossless and Apple Lossless formats work a bit better because the format options are built into Windows Media Player and iTunes, but not every version. An update may be necessary.
Users will also need to venture into the program to adjust settings. In most cases, you'll want to head into the Options or Preferences windows (under the Tools menu in most Windows programs) and adjust the rate or format for importing music.
When you're done, you will have paved the way for new music to be imported as a less-compressed format, without extra manipulation after the download.
Audio purists who have high-capacity portable music players could take this route instead, skipping the low-fidelity formats such as MP3 completely and storing the high-quality versions on their players, a space-chewing but sonically rewarding option.
