So, you're saying that you heard differences in almost all other aspects than noise due to flack decompression? What do we need pre decoding for then? 
noise can affect many aspects of audio- focus, timing, imaging etc. it doesn't have to be noise that you hear, if it is noise. the only factor between WAV and FLAC is the real time, on the fly decompression. other than that, the files are bit identical.
This will not be noticed to majority of people. Audio is my hobby and life, so even tiny differences to me are obvious to me than others would care to hear.
I'm not a crazy audiophile, I don't spend hundreds and thousands on cabling. i do spend money where it counts, well made DAC, AMP, Speakers. I own ATC amp and ATC speakers, they are renowned in mastering studios, mixing studios, concert halls etc. They are pro, rather than jewellery. I originally bought my setup for writing music and mastering. They give much insight into what's in an audio mix. So these slight variations become more prevalent when listening to music for few minutes or so. Quick A/B listen is very hard to discern between, it's only after a few minutes i notice.
This is not a finding, noticed this a couple years back, and still to this day do the tests, and find same findings, hoping I wouldn't so i can save some hard drive space.
I'm not lying, pretending, or whatever. I'm sharing findings and making suggestions.
