I must admit I have also been using AC since I don't know how long - it was OK to use, but I admit as I got more experienced with MP3s I have gradually become unsatisfied with the encoder.

I saw a post yesterday here regarding AudioGrabber, so I went and got it - it's the same UI as AC (they licensed it, I hear) and allows you to choose which encoder you use. I bought it immediately since I like the AC interface, and this has been subtlely improved. I also pulled down LAME in DLL form and started ripping and encoding with it today. It has worked immediately with my Plextor through ASPI, with no observed problems yet.

Overall impression is that it encodes a little more slowly than the XING encoder, but seems to produce smaller VBR files. The stereo seperation has improved as well, which is a big bonus. Clarity seems to have improved slightly, but this is subjective. I am as yet not wholly sure what ID3 tag support it has built-in (I have only really started with it today).

Given that Real have decided to EOL AC, this looks to be the most immediate replacement, for very low cost, and has given me a direct improvement. It also allows for experimentation with different encoders, so - overall - I am happy with the change.

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015