I can confirm that itunes ripping to aiff at 44.1khz 16bit stereo makes a bit for bit accurate copy.

I used a DTS CD for this test- Gaucho. Track #2- Hey 19. Great song and great DTS mix, btw.

Since the data is stored as a aiff/ WAV file on the CD, but the data is not really PCM data, if it were converted to analog or resampled or otherwise manipulated, the result would be hiss when played back.

I made 3 files

1- itunes ripping an aiff (manual control, 44.1,16,stereo)

2- itunes ripping WAV (manual control, 44.1,16,stereo)

3- just copy the file to my hard drive right off the CD.

I used toast 6 to burn an audo CD from these three tracks.

Just tried it. Put the CD-r in the 800 and let it play. the electronics report every track as dts and the tracks sound indistinguishable from each other.

it must therefore be making a perfect copy of the original- and hence, you do not have to worry about itunes not making a bit accurate copy. I was worried because the file size when ripping with itunes was a little different. my guess is that difference is due to metadata for title, track number, artist, etc.

Best regards,
Jerry
Main System: 861v6, DSP8000s in corners, DSP7000s Center and Sides, 1-9 humans.