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Archos XS 202 - which bitrate is best for metal
Zeropoint1
08-12-2005
I've just [about 10 mins ago] ordered a Archos XS 202 (20Gb HD) mp3 player. Over the last 3 years I've gradually increased the bitrate on my Archos Jukebox10 (10GbHD) from 128 Kbps to 320 Kbps (the maximum)
Though the XS 202 supports mp3, WMA and a few others which is the best format / bitrate to use with this player. Should I just record everything in 320 Kbps WMA?
If it helps I listen to [death] metal / rock / goth / operatic goth.
rich_jtg
08-12-2005
64kb/s?

It's all personal taste really, depends on how good your ears are, and the output equipment you're using.

Many people say you can't tell much difference in MP3s beyond around 224kb/s.

Improvements in sound can be made by using different software, such as EAC (with a LAME encoder), to rip your CDs.
PK - the King
08-12-2005
128kbps WMA should to the trick, although if you like to listen to your music very, VERY loud, and especially if you will be plugging the player into a good quality hifi, then 160kbps might be best. As rich_jtg says, it all depends on your ears - most people don't notice compression at low bitrates (eg. 128kbps MP3 or 96kbps WMA) but the annoying thing with lossy compression is, once you "listen" for the compression and know what to listen for, then you won't be able to "tune out" or ignore the compression and it will drive you insane!

So, I'd say 128kbps WMA, or 192kbps MP3 would be an absolute minimum, and as also mentioned, use EAC with LAME. This is excellent ripping software as it will error correct any scratched CDs - don't touch Windows Media Player with a barge pole for ripping, as it's dire, especially if there are any kind of scratch at all on the CD.
CHES DIGI MAN
08-12-2005
I current use 256 Kbps on the Lame coder (a naughty version beginning with the letter A and ending in R) for MP3's. The sound when burnt to a 8cm (3") CD-R and replayed on DVD player connected to my Rotel amp/Wharfdale diamond IV's is really good. As your have a large storage capacity on your Mp3 player, go for the highest bite rate possible.

Regards Ches.
kentboy
09-12-2005
Originally Posted by PK - the King:
“128kbps WMA should to the trick, although if you like to listen to your music very, VERY loud, and especially if you will be plugging the player into a good quality hifi, then 160kbps might be best. As rich_jtg says, it all depends on your ears - most people don't notice compression at low bitrates (eg. 128kbps MP3 or 96kbps WMA) but the annoying thing with lossy compression is, once you "listen" for the compression and know what to listen for, then you won't be able to "tune out" or ignore the compression and it will drive you insane!

So, I'd say 128kbps WMA, or 192kbps MP3 would be an absolute minimum, and as also mentioned, use EAC with LAME. This is excellent ripping software as it will error correct any scratched CDs - don't touch Windows Media Player with a barge pole for ripping, as it's dire, especially if there are any kind of scratch at all on the CD.”

I find I notice with 192Kbps MP3 files - the worst track has to be Planet Telex - it sounds awful...



I'm thinking about re-ripping onto my HDD at 320Kbps...

PK - the King
09-12-2005
Originally Posted by kentboy:
“I find I notice with 192Kbps MP3 files - the worst track has to be Planet Telex - it sounds awful...”

Some MP3 encoders will leave compression sounds even at fairly high bitrates - I find LAME is about the best. It's a pity MP3 players don't support other codecs such as FLAC or OGG
monkeysoup
09-12-2005
Yeah, I find mp3@192/ogg@160 is the minimum for any type of rock music. Try a few tracks you know well at different rates and see what you can live with. And remember you don't have to use MP3 as a format (shame the hard-to-find Karma is the only player which seems to do OGG).
Astaroth
10-12-2005
Sorry to go off tangent but.... whilst I still listen to all my CDs (and spend too much on them) I have been out of the "scene" for too long it appears..... what is "operatic goth" as its a new term on me (and example recordings would be good)
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