app to use the high-quality, DRM-free encoding standard that Apple uses for its store [8, 18]. 1. Understanding iTunes Plus : AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) with the extension [10, 27]. : 256 kbps Variable Bit Rate (VBR) [18]. Compatibility

: Highly favored by music enthusiasts for offering multiple download formats. When you purchase an album, you can choose Apple Lossless (ALAC) , both of which use the .m4a extension. Amazon Music Store

For serious audiophiles, public websites are often avoided in favor of private communities.

The popularity of the keyword "iTunes Plus AAC M4A sites" has led to an explosion of fakes. A fake file is usually a 128kbps MP3 illegally converted to an M4A extension. It will have the file size of a high-quality track but the sound of a tin can.