555-Shaggy

What bitrate do people use for encoding MP3's when ripped from cd? Also, where / how do you listen to them?

I'm about to do my entire collection to my PC for listening on iPods, but also via my home cinema amp as well as via the PC and just want to knwo what others think of the various bitrates before I start and then realise I could have saved more space / want better sound quality.

ChefDude

192 VBR is pretty good. keeps the size down and the quality where it's needed.

SJ_Skyline

I rip at 128 as my ears can't tell the difference in quality between 128 and 192 so why take up space when it's not necessary? I know, deaf as a post has been mentioned before

StickyMicky

i used to do my dj mixes at 160kbs for downloads

or 320kbs for burning to cd`s for friends and stuff

you can tell the difference, but only if you have
1. good ears
2. decent enough system

Hanley

I have done the same with my CD collection, putting it all on my I-Pod.

I encoded everything at 320Kbs, I just think it sounds much better

BigGT3Fan

If you have a decent kit to play it out of and can tell the difference, it's worth doing. I always tell people to pick a couple of their fav tracks, and encode at 128, 192 and 320 (and lossless if you are interested) and compare on whatever you are going to listen to it most on.

I use a Squeezebox 3 to play into a good NAIM hifi, so I encode everything at 320k VBR, I'd go lossless if I had the time to go back and re-rip everything again.

However, I also use the same music on an iPod so the 320 is a reasonable compromise, 128k would be fine as ipod speakers are not that good, but without having two copies of my whole collection encoded at diff rates, that is the best bet. Lossless would mean a lot less music on the iPod.

So, that's my situation, if you have very good kit and loads of space, go higher, poorer kit, poorer hearing or smaller storage devices means go lower

Shark Man

As above, 192 bare minimum for my portable stuff. 320 bare minimum on my HD player.

Strangely, the software you use to rip it can make a noticable difference. Obvioulsy check all the additional settings are correct before ripping.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I use 160 kbit/s to listen in the office on really good headphones. I certainly can tell the difference between that and lossless (FLAC), but it rarely feels worth the hassle of the extra storage. When I've stopped doing critical A/B listening tests and started just listening for pleasure, I soon forget which format I'm using.

555-Shaggy

Looks like I need to try 128 and 192 then to see if I (and the mrs) can hear the difference. If not, save lots of space = more music, if so, better go for the quality option, it's probably more important than saving space.