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1. If you are going with MP3 I would suggest using LAME. I use FLAC now, and on one set of rips used ALAC. I would suggest you use FLAC for lossless quality. If you DAP can't handle it or is too small for a lot of lossless files, you can make 256+ bit LAME mp3 copies. Store the files in a drive that isn't plugged into anything for security.
2. The first time I ripped my entire collection, I used EAC. I used Monkey's Audio to encode the files to FLAC. I highly recomend both. In secure mode EAC will work on getting a quiality rip of a track as long as it needs to. Monkey's can encode all of the files in all subdirectories under the one you specify.
The DAP I was using was only 20GB so I sold it. I bought an iPod so I needed files that would work on it so I ripped my entire collection again to ALAC with iTunes. I DID NOT like how many of the tracks sounded. I don't know what iTunes' problem is, but I don't reommend it for anyone.
Now, because I ran out of space and deleted the original FLAC files, I am ripping all of my CDs again to a drive I will use to store them safely on. I'm using dbPoweramp this time. I like that it comes with other software I can use to play tunes and transcode copies to other formats.
3. I don't know what problem iTunes has, but I don't like it. Volume levels in most tracks was okay, but there were pops all through many of them and especially at the end of them.
__________________ Mobile Rig: 160GB iPod Classic, ALO Jumbo Cryo dock, RSA Hornet (non M), Shure E500 PTH, Sensa custom sleeves
Home Rig: Sony SCD CE595, HeadRoom Desktop with Desktop module and Desktop DAC, Sennheiser HD650 with stock cable and AKG 701s
Work Rig: Acer computer, HeadRoom Total Bithead, Beyerdynamic DT-770s.
Azhrei, I can only speculate as to the cause of your iTunes troubles. It might have been a very obscure hardware or driver conflict. But I do want to say that I use iTunes on my various Macs, and on the one PC I have, and they do not exhibit this popping problem.
I can completely understand how you would drop iTunes in light of such a problem. It's easier to change your workflow in many cases than track down some "needle in a haystack" conflict/problem.
Other people have generally answered everything you need, but I'd like to add that LAME v0 is a good option for use on your portable. It's variable bitrate, with an average of ~224kbps, so it can potentially offer better quality than 256kbps constant bitrate. As when required, it can go higher than 256kbps, and drop the bitrate down when not requried to compensate for this.
1. Does anybody use Fraunhofer? Is it superior to LAME?
2. What application do people use to rip MP3's?
3. Why does iTunes appear to lower the volume on ripped MP3's?
Thanks!
1. Yes. The Fraunhofer is definitely better when you compare it to the original. FhG is much faster encoding as well.
2. dBPowerAmp Reference. 28$ + tax (if applicable) is a bargain for this tool.
3. It's a policy to show how better is AAC or ALAC which are DRM protected and sold via iTunes shop. My friend tested iPoo Classic wav vs. mp3 320kb/s and the latter sounded significantly worse than the wav but on the other (better) player the difference was marginal. Let's get it straight - Apple tries to make fool of us with the mp3 quality lowering it wherever possible.
__________________ Cans: recabled Creative Aurvana Live! , Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro, Grado RS2 , Sennheiser PX100 Plugs: CrossRoads Mylarone X3 Portable sources: iRiver E10 , iRiver ifp-799 Home source: modded Technics SL-PS840 Headphone drive: DIY amp named Moonlight :) Gone 'phones: AKG K324P , Grado SR325i, Senneheiser HD25-1 II , Sennheiser HD595 , Sennheiser CX300 , Koss KSC35 , Sony MDR-40T , other tiny stuff mp3 players from the past: Teclast T39 , Cowon D2 , iRiver clix2 , Meizu M6 , RAmos RM850 , iRiver T10 2GB, many other tried
1. Yes. The Fraunhofer is definitely better when you compare it to the original. FhG is much faster encoding as well.
2. dBPowerAmp Reference. 28$ + tax (if applicable) is a bargain for this tool.
3. It's a policy to show how better is AAC or ALAC which are DRM protected and sold via iTunes shop. My friend tested iPoo Classic wav vs. mp3 320kb/s and the latter sounded significantly worse than the wav but on the other (better) player the difference was marginal. Let's get it straight - Apple tries to make fool of us with the mp3 quality lowering it wherever possible.
Sorry... but what are you on about?
1. Unless something has changed recently, LAME is superior, Fraunhofer is outdated.
2. While I agree that dbpoweramp is a good program, EAC is a better (unless dbpoweramp has advanced since I last used it, even then, it would only stand on equal footing) and free alternative for ripping cd's
3. This is a plain and obvious conspiracy theory
3. It's a policy to show how better is AAC or ALAC which are DRM protected and sold via iTunes shop. My friend tested iPoo Classic wav vs. mp3 320kb/s and the latter sounded significantly worse than the wav but on the other (better) player the difference was marginal. Let's get it straight - Apple tries to make fool of us with the mp3 quality lowering it wherever possible.
I will have to arrest you on some points here.
* Neither AAC or ALAC is DRM protected in general (just regular audio codecs).
* Apple only sell AAC encoded audio files in iTunes Store, not ALAC (Apple Lossless) ones.
* Apple sell DRM free AAC files in iTunes Store.
But correctly, Apple still sell some DRM protected AAC files in iTunes Store.
1. Unless something has changed recently, LAME is superior, Fraunhofer is outdated.
LOL! What do you mean outdated? I'm just curious how many years it will take for the LAME to obtain the same quality and speed level of the FhG encoder. Rip your CD's to 320kb/s LAME, 320kb/s FhG, compare or ABX them with the original and tell me what you hear. Measure the encoding times as well.
2. While I agree that dbpoweramp is a good program, EAC is a better (unless dbpoweramp has advanced since I last used it, even then, it would only stand on equal footing) and free alternative for ripping cd's
Better in what field? EAC has got the same features as the dBP Ref. (ultra-secure ripping, C1/C2 errors correction) and crappy interface. You will never have professional mp2 or mp3 by FhG encoders on the EAC either.
3. This is a plain and obvious conspiracy theory
Conspiracy is when something is hidden, I revealed my thoughts, obviously exaggerrating, but the intentional inferior mp3 playback is a fact.
__________________ Cans: recabled Creative Aurvana Live! , Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro, Grado RS2 , Sennheiser PX100 Plugs: CrossRoads Mylarone X3 Portable sources: iRiver E10 , iRiver ifp-799 Home source: modded Technics SL-PS840 Headphone drive: DIY amp named Moonlight :) Gone 'phones: AKG K324P , Grado SR325i, Senneheiser HD25-1 II , Sennheiser HD595 , Sennheiser CX300 , Koss KSC35 , Sony MDR-40T , other tiny stuff mp3 players from the past: Teclast T39 , Cowon D2 , iRiver clix2 , Meizu M6 , RAmos RM850 , iRiver T10 2GB, many other tried
LOL! What do you mean outdated? I'm just curious how many years it will take for the LAME to obtain the same quality and speed level of the FhG encoder. Rip your CD's to 320kb/s LAME, 320kb/s FhG, compare or ABX them with the original and tell me what you hear. Measure the encoding times as well.
I'd advise not laughing at someone unless you are quite certain about your statements. LAME is the default encoder in dBpoweramp, since it offers better quality, but they do have options for Fraunhofer IIS and Helix, in case someone wants to use them.
I'll try to find an ABX someone else has done since I don't see the point of wasting my time. Also, I hardly care if it takes me a few seconds more to encode something, if it gives me better quality.
Honestly, you're the first person I've come across in years that is using FhG.
Originally Posted by majkel
Better in what field? EAC has got the same features as the dBP Ref. (ultra-secure ripping, C1/C2 errors correction) and crappy interface. You will never have professional mp2 or mp3 by FhG encoders on the EAC either.
One of the important features of EAC is the ability to flush the cache on drives that cache data, I'm not sure if dbpoweramp does this. If it does, then it is up to you to decide if a prettier interface is worth the money. (From a quick look at their site, I assume it does have a feature to overcome the cache).
Originally Posted by majkel
Conspiracy is when something is hidden, I revealed my thoughts, obviously exaggerrating, but the intentional inferior mp3 playback is a fact.
I would be nicer, but I already was the first time.
And before posting this, I've spent a while trying to find that ABX, but can't seem to find one. I guess no-one see's the point.
3. Why does iTunes appear to lower the volume on ripped MP3's?
LAME does this too. It's a necessary evil to avoid clipping. Different encoders may have a different idea of how much volume to eat in the name of this.
iTunes also computes peak level (and other ReplayGain levels) on tracks it rips, and may use this on playback for the same reason. I'm not really sure on that one.
Measure the encoding times as well. 
Linear Mode
