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This shift birthed a subculture of music enthusiasts and "rippers" dedicated to finding and sharing these specific files. For audiophiles, the iTunes Plus standard became the "gold standard" for lossy audio, striking the perfect balance between a small file size and sound quality that was virtually indistinguishable from a CD. The Rise of the "iTunes Plus" Scene

However, the landscape has shifted. Apple no longer sells downloads directly via iTunes (it’s now the Apple Music app, focusing on streaming), and many old download stores have vanished. So, where do you find today?

The “iTunes Plus M4A site” as a unique, thriving ecosystem is dead. But the file format is healthier than ever. Most new digital storefronts default to AAC for its superior compression. If you want fresh M4A tracks, skip the sketchy “iPlus” revival sites—they’re filled with upscaled MP3s. Instead, buy direct from Bandcamp or Apple’s hidden download store. It’s less nostalgic, but the bits are the same.

AAC and M4A continue to play a critical role in this digital age. Many streaming services use AAC due to its efficient compression and good quality, especially considering the need to stream audio quickly and efficiently over varying internet speeds. M4A files are widely supported by most digital music platforms and devices, making them a popular choice for digital music distribution.

Qobuz is famous for hi-res FLAC, but when you buy a track, you can choose download format. Selecting “AAC 256 kbps” gives you an M4A file that is technically identical to iTunes Plus.

But with the decline of permanent music ownership in favor of streaming, finding new sources for legal, high-quality M4A files has become a digital treasure hunt. If you have been searching for you are likely tired of low-bitrate MP3s and want the closest possible sound to a studio master without the massive file sizes of FLAC.