Here’s a blog post written for music lovers, audiophiles, and Apple users, explaining what "iTunes Plus AAC" is and why it still matters. If you’ve been buying music from the iTunes Store for over a decade, you’ve definitely seen the label "iTunes Plus AAC." But if you’re newer to Apple’s ecosystem—or just trying to decide between streaming, MP3, or lossless audio—you might wonder: What exactly is it, and does it still hold up in 2024?

Don't let the "lossless hype" fool you. For real-world listening, iTunes Plus AAC remains the gold standard for purchased digital music.

The short answer: