libaudiofile is not much different from the more common libsndfile. Both only read "uncompressed" formats.
Not quite right. libsndfile file reads a number of compressed formats such as WAV and AIFF files (containing A-law, u-law, GSM 6.10, IMA ADPCM, MS ADPCM and some G7xx formats) was well as FLAC and Ogg/Vorbis.
Erik (main libsndfile author)
yes, that is why I put uncompressed in "quote,unquotes".
sorry for any confusion.
-a.