Audiophiles ... advice re: WAV vs. Apple Lossless

[BodhiBenz1987]

A new album I bought came with a USB memory stick pre-loaded with the album in three types of files: MP3, WAV and Apple Lossless m4a. From what I understand all three will work on my iPod Nano ... I have some very basic knowledge of the differences between the three. I loaded the m4a files onto my iTunes and subsequently iPod. They sound the same on my computer, not surprisingly since it has the lousy stock speaker, but I feel like the m4as actually sound a little fuller/richer than the mp3s when I listen to them on my car's system. I don't have an insane sound system by any means, but I have pretty nice speakers (Focal Polyglass X 4, Alpine digital amp and Polk sub) and the system was professionally installed and tuned. Will the WAV files sound even better? I can't really imagine it sounding better than it does, but I'm just curious if there is any difference between an ALAC file and a WAV file that can be noticed without a serious, serious sound system. I know WAVs take up a great deal more space so I'd probably stick with the m4as or mp3s, but I'm just curious.

The album box set also came with the whole thing in 5.1 ... as well as the CD and vinyl LPs. Way too much audio fun.