Thanks Borislav and Loren ! Did some reading and downloading on the Lame and EAC sites. Still I don't really know how to use the different programs. AudioCatalyst made me lazy , I knew it was to good to be true , a all-in-one program with high quality. More tips and trick are welcome !!Just as Loren did , I also noticed bad quality rips with my car audio system . I use a Alpine CD player and Empeg to Soundstream 604 amp on 2 Boston Pro 6.5 satalite systems. And a Soundstream 302 to drive a Phase Linear Alliante 10 sub. Amps are backed up by a Brac's 1 Farad . I am very pleased with this setup , clean and powerfull till the end ! But unforgiving to any bad signal either bad quality CD's or Mp3's !