Basics: Ripping

[4est]

I would have to say stay with AIFF if you think you ever MIGHT use Windows or Linux. File size is much less of an issue these days, and I can speak from experience that having multiple file types suck.

dbPoweramp is a popular program for ripping CD's. It is now available on OSX.

 

https://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper.htm

 

Lots of options available including AccurateRip which automatically checks rip against a database to ensure that your rip matches what others have done. You can also review/edit meta data before ripping.

 

They also have other programs such file conversion (e.g. AIFF > FLAC).

 

As for file format, whatever works for you. I personally save everything to AIFF due to legacy of using iTunes but if I started over I would probably go with FLAC given it is a neutral format. I could "easily" convert everything to FLAC but for now AIFF works fine.