Poll: Which MP3 encoder is your favorite?

[Shmorq]

There's been so many question about which encoder is the best, I figured I would put it into a poll form.

The choices right now are:

Xing
Fraunhofer
Lame
Blade
SoloH
SoundJam

Did I forget any?

Also, I didn't forget Audio Catalyst since that uses the Xing encoder. Similarly for all the other all-in-one ripper/encoders, I didn't include them since they use one of the encoders listed.

Can anyone guess my choice?

 

[Zapster]

Please explain what an encoder is or does? Some are new to the MP3 CD scene.

 

[huanaku]

I like LAME.

 

[Shmorq]

The encoder is the code that converts a WAV file to MP3 format.
The ripper is the program that extracts the audio from a CD.

 

[poop]

Which encoder is built into Real Jukebox? I used that to encode my cd's all at 192 kbps VBR. I cannot hear the difference between raw wave and VBR MP3 on my Titans.

 

[Shmorq]

I think the Real Jukebox uses the Fraunhofer codec... Can anyone correct me on this?

 

[VoodooExtreme]

I use LAME-codec.

Btw. check this site

 

[xtreme2k]

LAMe + razor lame front end

 

[Shmorq]

Yeap... anyone that likes any encoder other than Lame should check out VoodooExtreme's link.

Actually, the Fraunhofer is excellent as well...

 

[poop]

You are correct. I just found the info saing it was the Fraunhofer II encoder. I DO get some noticable artifacting at 128 kbps. But 192 is wonderful. And I get 0 popping, as long as I don't do anything super-intensive while encoding.

It sounds great to me. I might be able to tell a difference once I get a better amp, though.

 

[Shmorq]

Just as a side note, I believe if you do get popping, it's most likely a result of the ripping and not the encoding process. I let the encoder run in the background while I surf the forums and stuff, but I don't even touch my mouse or enable the screen saver while I'm ripping.

 

[Delusion2001]

i use xing audiocatalyst

 

[poop]

I actually play mp3's while ripping/encoding. It works great, no pops or anything. I may give LAME + EAC a shot to see how nice it is, though.

I just saw the analysis of the Fraunhofer encoder in VBR. Jeez, it cannot encode at all >16kHz. I would think that I would notice this. Especially when compared to the raw wav played in winamp...

But, I then noticed that I encode at 192 kbps VBR. He encoded at 128 kbps VBR. Could this be the difference? Or can my ears not hear the difference. OR, could it be my crappy receiver? Any suggestions?

 

[mryellow2]

vbr is an acronym for variable bit-rate, which means that it doesn't encode at 128kbit or 196k, it varies according to the complexity of the piece being played at that particular moment. Read about it at www.r3mix.net

 

[Shmorq]

The newer Fraunhofer codec fixes the > 16KHz problem so your MP3's are most likely being encoded properly since you said the sound is excellent.

 

[poop]

Well, I just performed frequency analysis on fraunhofer at 192 kbps and 192 kbps VBR. It doesn't look good. The frequencies are cut off above 16 kHz. I cannot tell a difference when I listen now, because my amp sucks so badly. Since I eventually plan to get a better amp, looks like I should start to encode everything with LAME. It would take too much time to go back and re-encode my cd's, though.

So even though Fraunhoffer is not optimized for VBR, it sounds as good
as possible on my crappy sound equipment. That, or my ears just are not good enough to tell the difference. I am not sure which.

UPDATE:
Just did frequency analysis using LAME, and the results are much better. The response is slightly more flat overall, but response above 16 kHz is MUCH better.

 

[Shmorq]

I had the same problem. I used the Xing Encoder for everything. But then, after I upgraded to my new soundcard and speakers, I noticed that the sound didn't sound full. Then I discovered r3mix.net and I had to re-encode everything because I wanted to save my MP3's for archiving. It took a while but at least most ot it was setup to encode overnight.

 

[PliotronX]

yaY!~ 100% LAME!!

 

[Shmorq]

Cool, it looks like these forums are getting more knowledgable about MP3's and Lame...

 

[amdmaxx]

I heard xing is best, is this www.exactaudiocopy.de site better?

 

[poop]

MP3 is an AWESOME format. I mean, the fidelity of high-rate encodings can easily beat CD. I am anxious for mp3's to be made directly from the master tapes. Imagine the quality of a 1411 kbps mp3 at 96 kHz! I think it could rival DVD-audio/SACD. Plus, you could still fit 74 minutes on a cd.
But for some reason, a lot of hi-fi people think mp3 quality is inherently worse than cd.

 

[Zenmervolt]

For encoding, definitely Lame + RazorLame front end, not only is it the best, it's free. Just in case you want to know, I like Exact Audio Copy for ripping.

Zenmervolt

EDIT: Typos.