[danielnrg]

I was told that JDownloader is the best way to download music since it demuxes the audio stream and using a converter involves transcoding, which reduces audio quality. I've downloaded JDownloader 2, and I just have one question. When packages appear in the linkgrabber tab, I see the audio stream available for download, but under "Variant", there are several codecs available to download the audio, such as m4a, ogg, and aac, of varying bit rates. My question is, which of these should I use to download the audio, to get the best possible audio quality? If the original source codec that the site uses is for example aac, would choosing m4a or ogg result in less quality? What about the bit rate, how do I decide what to use? Should I just use the highest available? I've noticed that when viewing tracks in linkgrabber prior to downloading, the file name lists a codec and bitrate in parenthesis under the "File Properties", specifically "File Name" - for example, "Halo_ CE Unreleased Music - _Under New Management_ (192kbit_AAC).m4a". Is this a telltale way to know which audio codec and bitrate I should choose to download the file? My main objective is getting the absolute best quality possible for these downloads, and I don't know if the codecs or bit rates matter to that regard.
Also a separate but possibly related issue: I've noticed for some downloads, the size of the audio stream appears larger in the linkgrabber than the actual file is once it's downloaded. I know the package is larger because it includes the video and the image, but it appears that for most audio files it is larger in linkgrabber than once it's downloaded. Once I start the download, the file size remains the same, but the second it finishes downloading the file size goes from say 2mb to less than 1mb. I found that kind of odd.
Anyway, any assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. I'm just a simple man who wants as much quality from audio rips as possible. Relevant screenshots are attached.

[Jiaz]

Originally Posted by danielnrg

and using a converter involves transcoding, which reduces audio quality.

JDownloader does not transcode. It only mux/demux the streams. Quality remains unchanged

[Jiaz]

Originally Posted by danielnrg

I've noticed for some downloads, the size of the audio stream appears larger in the linkgrabber than the actual file is once it's downloaded. ...but it appears that for most audio files it is larger in linkgrabber than once it's downloaded. Once I start the download, the file size remains the same, but the second it finishes downloading the file size goes from say 2mb to less than 1mb.

Depending on the audio format, JDownloader first has to download the muxed stream(video+audio) and demux the audio stream.
So it downloads the large (complete) file and demuxes (smaller) audio file afterwards.

[Jiaz]

For the question about CODEC/Bitrate and which is best, I hope you understand that we cannot answer this question for you. You should better do some research and in the end (my personal opinion) most ppl cannot hear any difference at all
General rule, higher bitrate = better.

[danielnrg]

Originally Posted by Jiaz

For the question about CODEC/Bitrate and which is best, I hope you understand that we cannot answer this question for you. You should better do some research and in the end (my personal opinion) most ppl cannot hear any difference at all
General rule, higher bitrate = better.

So it won't make any difference in quality whether I choose m4a or AAC? Just personal preference?

[Jiaz]

m4a is just a container that holds aac stream -> can be played back
aac is the raw aac stream ->must be first muxed or else not many tools can play it
no difference

[danielnrg]

Originally Posted by Jiaz

m4a is just a container that holds aac stream -> can be played back
aac is the raw aac stream ->must be first muxed or else not many tools can play it
no difference

Alright thanks so much for helping me out

[Jiaz]

You're welcome