And 16-bit wav files will lose quality if they have amplitude changes, (i.e. normalized to -6dB and then to -3dB) because of the integer-based nature of the bitdepth. This will also happen with any integer based bitdepth, including 24-bit. The only way around this is to use a 32-bit floating point system, like the one found in Audition and Sound Forge.
But it's nothing like a needle wearing out an LP.
> also it is very plausable for (especially wav) files to
> become corrupted, which i have found to be pretty common
> with files that are constantly opened and saved... mp3's
> dont seem to corrupt as often though. once it's corrupted
> it's gone (as far as i know... if anyone knows different let
> me know)
>