Ask S&V

Q The head unit on my new Lexus has a USB input. This feature inspired me to purchase a 32GB flash drive and rip my CD collection using Windows Media Player. I used the WMA setting with the bitrate maxed out to 192Kbps for the first few discs I ripped, and those files played back in the car without issue. For the next batch I tried both the WMA Lossless and WAV formats. Although the files played back in Windows Media Player on my PC, they wouldn't play when I plugged the drive into the head unit’s USB port. Can you explain why? —Buck CornHauler

A CDs ripped to WMA format with Windows Media Player should be able to play on most car audio systems. And with the bitrate maxed out to 192 Kbps, the ripped files should also sound good. WAV files should also play in most car audio head units, but it’s rare to find WMA Lossless support outside of Windows Media Player on the PC. Same goes for other lossless formats such as FLAC and ALAC, which aren’t compatible with the vast majority of car audio systems.

That’s not to say there aren’t any head units that support lossless audio formats—even high-res ones. Pioneer’s new NEX Series in-dash receivers, for example, can play FLAC files at up to 192kHz/24-bit resolution. (They’ll handle files in WAV format, too.) Car audio manufacturer Audison has also announced an aftermarket solution that plays FLAC files with up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution. Last but not least, at a Pono press conference back in January, Neil Young dropped the news that the Pono high-res audio ecosystem, which supports up to 192kHz/24-bit FLAC, has been tapped by Ford for inclusion in the company’s 2016 Lincoln Continental models.

Bottom line: If you’re determined to play lossless audio files in your Lexus, you’ll need to upgrade its head unit. And you’ll also have to convert those WMA Lossless files to FLAC or WAV format using a software program such as Foobar2000 .