Best Quality Importing

Question

I am a high-end audio user and would like to know which format should I use to import my high resolution CDs. I shunned MP3 players for a long time because I was told they truncate files to fit and that ultimately sounds horrible upon playback on a killer audio system such as the Levinson I use.
I read "iTunes help" but am still not sure which format (AIFF, WAV, AAC, Apple Lossless) to use for the best reproduced, uncompromised sound. I'm not concerned with disc space as I am with sound. I imported using AAC and I could hear on my car audio system that the bass was bloated and the treble dry. It sucked and that was in my truck using only its decent stock system.
Taking the advice of an Apple salesman, I re-imported a known recording using a WAV format and it was so much better but still not the same as an actual CD in depth and dynamics. (I did a comparo in my truck using the iPod and my CD player). Something is not right here.
Could it be the cable connection to my iPod as I am using the headphone jack to my car audio AUX input? Would using the iPod's docking connection on its bottom to the back of the radio clear this up? I get conflicting advice at the Apple store and a vague answer using iTunes "help."
After using MIT cable for many years, I know cables and their connections make a big difference in sound but at the iPod's level, would this matter?
I don't want to use a custom setting where the computer will add or subtract any info from the recording. I want all of what's on the disc to end up on the iPod, no more no less. I want to get this right before I import the thousand's of songs I have in my library. It would be a drag to have to do it all over again as my Powerbook is as slow as a snail and it is cranky too.

Answer 1

I developed an ear for sound for the years I have been listening. When I fire up my home audio system, there is nothing but smoothness, effortlessness, wide and deep soundstaging, good micro and macro dynamics etc. All combine to a relaxing and involving exerience which becomes mroe obvious after I listening to my iPod.
I have read the compelling arguments for and against certain formats and on paper it might mean they should pass the music on w/o degrading or changing it. I use my ear as a guide. The iPod sounds cupped or hollow. Years ago jitter was the big problem in audio until FIFO (First In First Out) was developed by Levinson. I found that leaving the CD as it is w/o introducing any anomaly upon playback is key. I finesse the cables and components later until it sounds "there."
A few years ago I read an article in Stereophile about a test of the iPod's settings for recording and playback, exactly what we are discussing here. Unfortunately, I cannot remember what settings they recommended but they felt the unit came close to really good sound. It's low price relative to the hideously expensive high end market, compelled the reviewer to give the iPod a higher rating and a recommendation. The reviewer largely used his acute sense of hearing for his critique and compared his results to known equipment in A/B testing. Again I cannot recall what cables and connection he chose, but the iPod has improved since then and so has iTunes software which I felt would solidify my purchase decision toward MP3s.
I went to the Alpine website and found they do not have a cable to support the data link port in the new Classic. So for now, I have to deal with the trippy sounding recordings if the cable is the culprit.
The older the CD medium gets, the more it seems to hold up to newer technologies such as what is inside an iPod. This is ironic because the CD was never originally designed to sound amazing, just to be more convenient over LP. Today, it really does sound good for its paltry 16/44. When I can get them, I purchase only labels like "Telarc" and "Chesky" etc., who are fanatical about the recording process and it really pays off with great sound. That's what I want in my iPod.
It's taken 20+ years to get the big companies to come up with a better sounding disc and I hope not another 20 to fix the iPod.