Hi Tanstaafl,

C'mon, let us know what you found!

Well, Between WAV and 192k encoding, youn loose top-high frequency detail (cymbals get a bit fizzy); slight degradation of stereo image. I also use(d) MiniDisc (Sony MZ-R35) and found the two quite comparable in degradation but different in character (MD is bit cleaner, MP3 warmer).

192k vs. 128k:
I felt this difference was bigger between original WAV and 192k. Same applies, but in higher order; particularly narrowing of soundstage was noticeable. Stuff that was firmly located to the left made a shift inwards. Dynamics seemed to have suffered as well; loud passages aren't simply as loud as the original with far less "slam" when they hit.
Biggest difference in the bass is that it looses its firmness and less defined; there isn't a loss in amount of bass and the lowest frequencies still seem to be there. if anything, subjectively, there seems to be more, as it's more coloured.

128k vs. 96k.
This is just very poor, not worth discussing in detail, read above and multiply by several factors.

The results vary with the type of music. The first piece I used was a small jazz ensemble with lots of detail and ambience (from Chesky recordings); second came large scale orchestra (from "West Side Story" on EMI); third: light pop with woman's voice (again Chesky).

It effects of datareduction appear to wreak the greatest havoc with the classical piece, least with the fairly uncomplicated track with woman's voice.

The deciding factor for me to stick with 128k fixed was that the 128k quality wasn't objectionalbe and it makes compatibility with other stuff (such as solid state portables) easier. Also, when listening in the car imaging and soundstaging in the audiophile sense become pretty moot anyway.

For your info; ripping and MP3 encoding done with MusicMatch 5.00 (supposedly Fraunhofer encoder). Evaluating was done on my domestic music system which consists of NAD S100 pre, S200 power, S500 CD, Dali Diva speakers.

In fact, if you could bear to part with it, I would love to borrow that actual CD that you burned so I could perform the same sort of listening tests you did.

well, if you really can't toast a CD yourself I may considedr sending you a copy all the way from good 'ol Holland to Alaska!



Cas