While I was attending a cyber security conference this week, I won one of the new 8Gb Nano’s, the one that’s being advertized on TV. Up until now, I’ve been using an iRiver CD player that supports DataCD/WMA. Does anyone have a good feel for the quality difference between AAC-256kbps and Apple Lossless format? 8Gb is only enough space to hold about a quarter of my CD/SACD hybrid collection, so I’m not all that concerned with space, but if there isn’t a worthwhile difference in quality using Apple Lossless over AAC-256kbps, I may go with AAC. I’m using Etymotic ER-4P’s, though, so if there is a noticable difference, I’ll give up some space for better quality.

Also, does anyone have suggestions/warnings about specific film-based protectors for the screen and back surface?

TIA!