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Question

Ripping CD's (Questions about aac & mp3 plus another q or 2)

Jun 16, 2015 11:06PM PDT

Hi,

For years I have always ripped my CD's into mp3 format at 320kbps
However, I read that aac may be superior in sound quality (though debated, and then even so, can anyone tell difference).

Here are my questions-
Question 1-
So, my last 5 CD's I decided to rip them in aac format at 320.
When iTunes was done ripping them I noticed their bitrates are recorded as- Well, some are 318, 326, 320 etc. Not all 320 even though I do NOT have VBR checked. So, is this normal?

Question 2-
How much (if any) is there a difference in sound quality between aac 320 & mp3 320?

Final Question-
Is one or the other more of a future proof solution? (Which will be around longer).

Side note-
I just now realized when putting them on a USB stick and plugging them into my 2014 car, they will not play! Ai ya, I really thought by now aac would have more acceptability, since iTunes has got to be one of the largest distributors of music. I will double rip if need be if aac is much better or more future proof.

Thank you for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Reply to your questions as far as I know;
Jun 17, 2015 12:05AM PDT

ans. 1; yes I believed that's normal. That's why it's called VBR. (variable bitrate).

ans. 2; why not be your own judge. but as you indicated, if it doesn't then it won't do you much good regardless how great it sounded.

ans. 3; I wonder if really such thing as "future proof". Personally I don't worry about such things. Just keep the original in a safe place.

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Reply to what you both said...
Jun 17, 2015 12:52AM PDT

Oldartq,
I don't have VBR on in iTunes, that is why I was asking is it normal for them to come out with all different (but close to 320) rates. They say for the first 4 -
318
324
320
316

For KLees & Oldtarq-
I have tried listening. It is tough, I would say I "might" hear a slight difference with aac being a little better. However, not sure it is worth it if I have to double rip, so the car can play them.
I have to say I was very, VERY surprised about this. I really thought now days most players could play aac as well as mp3. So many people buy music from iTunes I just was not expecting that.

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Answer
Re: ripping
Jun 17, 2015 12:12AM PDT

For question 2: do you hear any difference? If not, it doesn't make much sense, unless you rip them for somebody who does.

In general I'd say to only rip the CD's in another format also if it has clear advantages. If those only come to live in 2030, well, then you rip those CD's again in 2030. Why do it now already if you can't even play them in your car?

KLees

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Answer I can I hear the difference...
Jun 17, 2015 12:53AM PDT

For KLees & Oldtarq-
I have tried listening. It is tough, I would say I "might" hear a slight difference with aac being a little better. However, not sure it is worth it if I have to double rip, so the car can play them.

I have to say I was very, VERY surprised about this. I really thought now days most players could play aac as well as mp3. So many people buy music from iTunes I just was not expecting that.

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Here... maybe a little more research.
Jun 17, 2015 7:49AM PDT

Awhile back I did some of that audio conversion stuff. I use the feature called "mp3PRO" (part of Nero) and at that time I thought it sounded better aac. Nice thing about it is that it can be play by any mp3 player. Now because dvd media being so cheap I don't do much conversion any more.

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What Other Rippers are out there
Jun 17, 2015 10:13PM PDT

Wow, Nero. I used Nero way back in the day for a number of my rips, but that came with an old Sony PC.
I have been using iTunes for the most part. I did do a search on how good iTunes is at ripping CD's into mp3's, as Apple is in the aac camp. Only thing I found was someone else asking basically the same question (they wanted to know if any tests/reviews had been done with iTunes vs. other software). It was in an Apple forum.

I know there is DBamp, and of course EAC with LAME. (I am hesitant on the last one, even though I hear it is supposed to be great, because it is not a product I buy, and have it all in one. (I like to own my items, and have someone I can reach out to).

One last point-
Would still like to know when you rip a CD using iTunes and set it to rip aac 320kbps is it normal for them to come out
320
318
324 etc... Not always bang on at 320 like when I rip it to mp3.

Thanks for the help and any other suggestions or thoughts on what software creates the best rips.

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Debateable but here I still use CDEX.
Jun 17, 2015 10:35PM PDT

Never felt there was better out there.