> The FLAC encoding algorithm consists of multiple stages. In the first stage, the input audio is split into blocks. If the audio contains multiple channels, each channel is encoded separately as a subblock. The encoder then tries to find a good mathematical approximation of the block, either by fitting a simple polynomial, or through general linear predictive coding. A description of the approximation, which is only a few bytes in length, is then written. Finally, the difference between the approximation and the input, called residual, is encoded using Rice coding.

Linear predictor is a form of lossy encoding.

Yes exactly. What you’re saying lines up with what I’ve learned through experience.

> If you're looking to preserving as much detail as possible from your masters then floating points make sense.

I’ve been searching for hours and gotten nothing more than the classic floats vs ints handwaving. Can you explain what you know about why using floats preserves detail?