Matt,
There are 26 lines of File Types under Tools > Options > File Types. For each and every one, the "Automatic" setting is selected under the "Playback Method" column.
However, when I click on an ALAC file, I get only a jittering hour-glass icon, as mentioned.
Of the 26 lines of File Types, only ten are selected "Yes" under "File Association": AAC, FLAC, Monkey's, MPC, MPEG, MusicEx, OGG, WAV, WavPak and Windows Media Audio. "No" is selected for the other 16 lines. Should I change those to "Yes" in order to associate the ALAC format, which (for some reason) is not listed?
The apparent contradiction between different web pages is confusing, to say the least. Why is ALAC not listed? Does the reason have to do with Apple, copyright issues, etc.?