Exact Audio Copy to Alac

Updated: June 4, 2026 · Full review · Alternatives · Converters

Exact Audio Copy doesn't natively output ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), but you can extract CD audio in lossless format and then convert it to ALAC in a second step—a workflow that preserves every bit of your source material. The process involves using EAC as your primary audio CD ripper, then piping the output through a converter like Format Factory for format conversion to ALAC.

Understanding Exact Audio Copy's Role in ALAC Conversion

EAC is a Windows-only CD ripping tool built specifically for accuracy. It excels at error detection and lossless copying through features like C2 error correction, secure mode, and AccurateRip verification. When extracting audio, the software produces WAV files or FLAC output—both are lossless formats suitable for downstream conversion to ALAC.

The key advantage: accurate ripping means your ALAC file won't contain errors introduced during extraction. EAC's offset correction, jitter correction, and gap detection ensure that what gets encoded to ALAC is exactly what's on the disc.

Ripping CDs with EAC Before Converting to ALAC

Start by inserting your CD and opening the application. It auto-detects your drive's offset and cache settings—no manual tweaking required on first use. Under the Action menu, select Rip CD to begin extraction.

Configure these settings before you start:

Format: Choose FLAC or WAV under Compression options (Preferences > Compression). FLAC is smaller but WAV is universally compatible for conversion.
Secure Mode: Enable this under Drive Options. It forces a test-and-copy verification pass on every sector, catching read errors.
AccurateRip: Configure this under AccurateRip Options to verify your rip against a database of known checksums. A green checkmark means your audio matches thousands of other accurate copies.

Once configured, highlight tracks, hit Rip, and the software extracts them to your chosen folder. With secure mode enabled, a full album takes 15–30 minutes depending on drive speed.

Converting Lossless Audio to ALAC Format

After extraction, your WAV or FLAC files need conversion to ALAC. Freemake Audio Converter supports batch processing multiple tracks to ALAC in one operation, which saves time. Open the converter, select your lossless files, choose ALAC as output, and process the batch.

Alternatively, FLAC workflow guides for EAC detail how to encode FLAC during ripping itself, reducing your file size before conversion. FLAC to ALAC conversion is direct and lossless—no quality loss occurs.

Why This Conversion Workflow Matters

Many users assume they need ALAC software built-in. They don't. The real value in this workflow is that EAC's accuracy-first approach prevents jitter and C2 errors from tainting your final file. Sloppy ripping introduces undetectable artifacts; accurate ripping followed by conversion to ALAC preserves the disc's original signal.

Compare this to EZ CD Audio Converter, which rips and converts in one step but lacks AccurateRip and secure mode verification. Speed trades accuracy.

Pro Tip: Before converting your first disc, enable Verify tracks under the Tools menu. The application will checksum each ripped track and warn you if it detects inconsistencies. Do this on your test CD, not your entire collection—it adds 10 minutes but catches bad drives early.

Final Thoughts on EAC to ALAC Conversion

The workflow—extract with EAC in lossless format, then convert to ALAC—is standard among audiophiles because it separates the concerns of accurate ripping from format conversion. Your ALAC file will be as accurate as the source disc and the extraction process allowed. On Windows, this two-step method remains the most reliable path to a verified lossless library.