[ElDiabloConCaca]

Probably not so much, and if one is such an audiophile that they could tell the difference (read: REALLY tell the difference between Apple Lossless and 256kbps MP3), then they probably wouldn't be listening to music on an iPod in the first place.

I just use Apple Lossless, simply because once you go to 256kbps MP3, there's no going back. You've already lost some audio information that can't be regained -- not the case with Apple Lossless.

My main reason for Apple Lossless is to get rid of the physical CD itself, not to actually listen to. Of course, I don't do this with those expensive box sets -- just CDs that I don't want the case and media to anymore.