iPod options & Cost
#11
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Originally Posted by baadaaboo' post='373218' date='Jan 3 2007, 10:44 AM
can you tell me what software did you use to convert your original CD music into MP3 for comparison? have you tried a different software and see if it makes some difference in sound quality? I'm really interested to know... because the sound track on CD are also digitized, just that MP3 is compressed digitize files...
I prefer to use Exact Audio Copy to rip my CD collection. This gives me good quality WAV files to start with.
After that, I have tried various encoders:
iTunes (both MP3 and AAC)
LAME MP3
SoundForge 8.0 (this uses an MP3 encoder plug-in from Sony)
I found that the sound quality on MP3s encoded in LAME was better than ones done with iTunes. I also felt that LAME MP3 sounded better than AAC.
I tested Apple Lossless, too.... and found that the sound quality improvement over LAME MP3 did not warrant the loss of storage capacity.
I would like to test FLAC files, but Apple is gay and won't allow FLAC files to play on iPods.
So I now use Exact Audio Copy with a LAME MP3 plug-in. It rips to WAV, and then converts to MP3. I use the highest quality VBR encoding setting on LAME.
#12
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M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Originally Posted by dlevi67' post='373219' date='Jan 3 2007, 10:47 AM
Another case of Gresham's law at work: bad sound drives away good sound
That's why I'm not listening to CDs in the car. I'm just hoping I can learn to live with the inferior sound of my iPod, because I like the convenience.
Just listening to CDs in my E60 is a major step backward for me. My last three cars have all had serious aftermarket stereo systems installed. But I don't dare try to go that route with my BMWs.
#13
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='373226' date='Jan 3 2007, 04:13 PM
I prefer to use Exact Audio Copy to rip my CD collection. This gives me good quality WAV files to start with.
After that, I have tried various encoders:
iTunes (both MP3 and AAC)
LAME MP3
SoundForge 8.0 (this uses an MP3 encoder plug-in from Sony)
I found that the sound quality on MP3s encoded in LAME was better than ones done with iTunes. I also felt that LAME MP3 sounded better than AAC.
I tested Apple Lossless, too.... and found that the sound quality improvement over LAME MP3 did not warrant the loss of storage capacity.
I would like to test FLAC files, but Apple is gay and won't allow FLAC files to play on iPods.
So I now use Exact Audio Copy with a LAME MP3 plug-in. It rips to WAV, and then converts to MP3. I use the highest quality VBR encoding setting on LAME.
After that, I have tried various encoders:
iTunes (both MP3 and AAC)
LAME MP3
SoundForge 8.0 (this uses an MP3 encoder plug-in from Sony)
I found that the sound quality on MP3s encoded in LAME was better than ones done with iTunes. I also felt that LAME MP3 sounded better than AAC.
I tested Apple Lossless, too.... and found that the sound quality improvement over LAME MP3 did not warrant the loss of storage capacity.
I would like to test FLAC files, but Apple is gay and won't allow FLAC files to play on iPods.
So I now use Exact Audio Copy with a LAME MP3 plug-in. It rips to WAV, and then converts to MP3. I use the highest quality VBR encoding setting on LAME.
Sometimes, due to path hierarchies, one piece of encoding software will use the MP3 DLL from another (and there is no real easy way of telling whether this has happened).
Example : http://www.highcriteria.com/tr_ext_mp3.htm
ABC
#14
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='373227' date='Jan 3 2007, 04:18 PM
That's why I'm not listening to CDs in the car. I'm just hoping I can learn to live with the inferior sound of my iPod, because I like the convenience.
ABC
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Originally Posted by dlevi67' post='373219' date='Jan 3 2007, 10:47 AM
Well, the writing has been clearly on the wall for at least 20 years. All that seems to matter is convenience of use, so that's what is being improved. And you can't deny that compared to a cassette tape Walkman the iPod is an improvement...
Another case of Gresham's law at work: bad sound drives away good sound
Another case of Gresham's law at work: bad sound drives away good sound
#16
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M-tech kit
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Active Cruise
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Navigation
Folding rear seats
Originally Posted by Member545' post='373395' date='Jan 3 2007, 09:37 PM
I was having this exact same conversation with a friend of mine today. We were discussing DVD-Audio vs. SACD formats and how they are not taking off. I surmised it was the rise of MP3 and he agreed. Convenience trumps quality. That said, I do like my iPod Adapter.
The problem is that the general public doesn't know anything about music, and certainly nothing about quality audio. Your average person thinks that Bose and Harmon Kardon make good equipment. They think that Best Buy and Circuit City sell good stuff. It drives me up the wall to watch people spend money on crap like that, when you can get stuff so much better for similar prices.
#17
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My Ride: E61 535d Apr 05. UK spec + Media Pack, Luxury Pack & Visibility Pack
On the other hand, if high quality media remain available (big IF), then more people listening to more music is all for the better.
#18
Slightly off topic, but is there a preferred methodology for arranging the iPod files when using it with the MOST connector (with the 255 song limit)? Also, if you use a Smartlist, and it goes past 255, what occurs? Is it just that you can't see past 255?
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