FLAC: An essential part of digital music library

In the old days, if you were to transfer an audio CD to your computer, it would create a huge file, 800MB or more; too big to store on your hard drive or to download quickly. Back then, you would have to compress the file to a manageable file size. The problem was that when you reduced the size of your audio, data was lost. When data was lost, audio quality was lost too.

Enter FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec). Like its name implies, FLAC is a free codec that compresses your audio files with no loss of data. Your audio file is smaller in size but the info, and therefore the quality, stays the same. This type of compression is called lossless. Many programs can losslessly compress (ZIP, RAR, etc.) but the difference with FLAC is that it’s especially designed for audio files. In specialization comes better compression: “FLAC often reduces CD quality audio files from 30 to 50%.” 

FLAC is also technically superior to other lossless audio codecs. It decodes and streams faster than other similar codecs. What’s more, it is an open source technology, meaning none of its script is patented, so programmers are free to improve its code. FLAC is now the most widely used and supported codec, available for use in a number of software and hardware devices. Tellingly, well-known artists regularly record their live sets in FLAC format.

As the first network media player designed for people who take their audio quality seriously, Helios made sure its X5000 played FLAC.

Helios wanted FLAC because it needed a digital format that matched the X5000 hardware. The X5000, with its Wolfson Audio DAC, low-noise BurrBrown OpAmp and Linear R-core transformer, offers the best sound possible. Crisp, clear, pure hi fidelity; the type of sound you need for your premium home theatre system to really shine. No other media player on the market offers the same quality. You’ve heard the results yourself.

But in order for your sound system to reach its full potential you can’t forget about the format you’re going to play your audio in. When you play audio with FLAC, you get the X5000’s excellent sound; with some other digital formats, you don’t. The familiar mp3, for example, is a lossy form of compression. Yes, it compresses CD quality files to 80% of their original size but in doing so mp3s throw out essential data. Information that you might not hear on your tinny earphones, but info you’ll definitely miss when you play mp3s on your high end home theatre system. Whether you’re having a house party with all your friends or listening to music while you cook up a favourite meal, you want the best sound. You’ve gone so far, buying a premium media player, speakers, etc. Don’t forget that final step in getting hi fidelity sound.  Play it in FLAC.

Experiencing FLAC also make your music library a lot more convenient. Since it can compress CD sized files with no loss of quality, you can archive your CD collection into FLAC and play it back on the X5000. No more clunky CDs taking up space in your basement, plastic  cases or worrying about scratches, just noise and distortion free sound. The X5000 lets you access it anytime you want, too, with just the click of the remote instead of having to put the CD into the drive and waiting for it to load. Great for when you’re running around that party we mentioned earlier; nor will you ever burn your meal because you spent too much time changing the music.

Superior sound, more convenience; FLAC is the format for digital audiophiles.