music bitrate

**wonderboy2005** · August 6th, 2003, 09:39 PM

earlier, i was looking for a particular album on IRC. i found 2 versions: 1 encoded at 256kbs and the other 192kbs. ofcourse, itried the 256 first, but no such luck. so i got the 192, which was about 3/4 the size. anyway, this got me thinking.... what do you guys prefer for bitrates?

**Psilaxs** · August 6th, 2003, 09:46 PM

128-160 is fine for me.

Though i won't complain if it is higher.

The only reason i may seek out higher then 128K is that 128k is the default for most ripping programs. If someone rips it at 160 or above, you know they weren't just some noob making a really poor rip.

**wapazoid** · August 6th, 2003, 09:59 PM

I always rip and encode my own CD's. You just can't rely on the output from other users, unless you trust their encoding methods and sources. There's way too many people playing the transcoding game (i.e. under the assumption that re-encoding a 128kbps file to a 160+ will actually "add" quality). Ofcourse, this action is worthy of a public hanging. Anyways, my choice for lossy is .mpc "Braindead" profile (average 240+).

**FreakinWeasel** · August 6th, 2003, 09:59 PM

From some sources I get 320, but from most I'm ok with 128. It's not great but it also doesn't tie up a guys computer if the person I'm DL from is on a slower connection. But once in a while when I'm looking for an album, I will search out 320 or 192 for archival purposes.

**Sockfulloflove** · August 6th, 2003, 10:00 PM

For full albums I prefer 192k or more. For EP's or just single mp3's, 128k or more will do for me.

**simian** · August 6th, 2003, 10:02 PM

192k or better usually. Or VBR at around that range. I don't go lower than 160k unless it's spoken word. I like making mp3 cds for my main stereo, and I can really spot the drop in quality at 128k with my stereo. Even with my computer, which has a decent audio setup, the difference is obvious.

Also, I cancel downloads to songs that are encoded with the Xing encoder. Infamous for crappy rips. I check for this using Encspot®. This program will give a wealth of information about the mp3. Including the encoder used and the quality of rip.
You can find this tool here: http://cd-rw.org/software/audio_soft...ls/encspot.cfm

**rainbowdemon** · August 6th, 2003, 10:05 PM

No less than 128. But ripping my own cd's to share:320. Musicmatch Jukebox can do this.:wings

**simian** · August 6th, 2003, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by agreedymonkey
File size is no object to me, so I rip at 192vbr --alt preset standard.

same here. Using EAC with LAME.

/me throws more poop at agreedymonkey ;)

**CCSDUDE** · August 6th, 2003, 10:09 PM

OGG @ 450kbs VBR....

Sounds great...

**REDO** · August 6th, 2003, 10:33 PM

I go for 192 or higher as well. But I think I have some in my collection that sound really crappy. I need to sift through my collection and delete the bad ones.

**Kevin06906** · August 6th, 2003, 10:56 PM

i download 129 and over. Nothing less than 129 though.

**FutureIverson** · August 6th, 2003, 10:57 PM

On my 40 GB hard drive i'll go over 192 so i don't get the RIAA version for sure. Otherwise i'll take anything over 96. You need over atleast an 80, maybe a 60 for the amount of music i have to use 320. I have a program that does a good job of changing bit rate from say 128 to 320

**phalkon30** · August 6th, 2003, 11:08 PM

192k or higher. I preffer VBR Alt - preset standard 32-320k though. Great file size, awesome sound.

**Dman212** · August 6th, 2003, 11:14 PM

128 or higher for me. The more and more I started to listen to mp3s the differences between 128s and 192s started to become much more apparent to me. If I was given a choice between a 128 or a 192 I'd download the 192. Ah hell, I don't know any technical stuff about sound compression anyway...