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WavPack's party trick is unique: it can create a lossy compressed file and a separate correction file that, when combined, reconstruct the original lossless audio perfectly. Distribute the lossy file for portable listening; keep the correction file for archival. Reunite them later for bit-perfect playback. No other mainstream audio format does this.
In pure lossless mode, WavPack compresses roughly as well as FLAC. In pure lossy mode, it competes with MP3 and AAC. The hybrid mode is where it shines — the lossy file is fully playable on its own, and the correction file adds back the discarded detail. It's an elegant solution to the lossy-vs-lossless dilemma.
Despite its technical cleverness, WavPack never achieved FLAC's adoption. Foobar2000 is the best player; VLC also supports it. For maximum compatibility, convert to FLAC (lossless) or MP3/AAC (lossy). The conversion from WavPack lossless to FLAC is perfectly lossless.