I read it in the blurb about ITunes collapsing. Is that true?

Kids these days know the difference, is Apple that stupid? DRM I think is smart but still unacceptable by anyone who deals with it, 128 kbps songs though is useless.

That's the word on the street, but iTunes is still the #1 digital music retailer.

yep, 128

"But 128 AAC is equal to 192 MP3"

whatever

<---- LAME V2, bitch!!!!

Yeah, but it's not the same as a 128 kbps mp3. It's a different compression. Even 192 kbps is drastically smaller than what you're hearing on a CD, but that's because the file is compressed. And I don't know why everyone seems so totally convinced that the same rules that apply to the quality of mp3 compression somehow also apply to aac, a different format.

Not that I'm any kind of fan of the ITMS, but I just get so sick of this issue being brought up all the time. The sound quality of a 128 kbps aac file is equivalent to an mp3 in the 160-192 range, to my ears.

Been 128 AAC since they started. When you figure 320 LAME MP3 is about as close to CD as you can get without using lossless compression, the itunes store is crap.

So, simple answer is, if you're looking for CD quality... buy the CD. If you're looking for passable ipod quality, use soulseek.

Well, yeah.

Actually, 128 AAC files are equivalent in quality to 160 MP3s. 160 AACs are equivalent to 192 MP3s.

Yeah, that's probably right. My poorly-stated point is that iTunes' bitrate is still worse than LAME's V2 setting (formerly alt-present standard), so I really don't care much about it. CBR is a waste of disk space IMHO.

I've always ripped mine at 192 CBR, not knowing what the best setup for VBR ripping was. How do you set that up - any recommendations? I got confused on where the high and low points were supposed to be set.

The nice thing about LAME's -V(number) setting is focusing on a target bitrate (V0 = ~245, V2 = ~190, V5 = ~130) but will still have frames of 32 or 320 for what's appropriate. My recent V2 rips show an average bitrate around 200.

If you're sure you want to stick with that level, great. You can always check out an ABX application to see what bitrate is sufficient for your own ears and equipment.

Here are a few good guides from hydrogenaudio.org:
LAME
Exact Audio Copy
EAC Drive Configuration
EAC and LAME

V0 all the way. A noticeable difference from V2, IMHO

Won't doubt that. Haven't tested 'V0 vs. WAV' on ABX yet, but that might be a new project.