Best conversion settings from CD using Jetaudio?

[SK8-Bizarre]

I recieved my Cowon D2 and some Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 buds yesterday and am very happy with the pair of them.

However.................................

The only problem is I am new to the conversion of files from CD to my player and the manuals online and with player for Jetaudio and Jetstream seem to differ from the applications that came on CD. It says you can convert to mp3 files using jetstream but the only way I can see to do this is through Jetaudio? Is this right?

Also whats the best quality to compression compramise setting I could use as I really have not a clue and the choices are hug and I really want a nice sound.

Any help from those in the know greatfully recieved

SK8

[alanio]

128kbps is the standard setting for the majority of MP3\'s, but moving up to 192kbps makes it marginally better. 320kbps is higher-quality MP3, although it does take up a fair bit more space.

As for WMA, you can get away with using slightly lower bitrates for a similar quality level.


For the D2 you can also use Windows Media Player, which I\'ve used for years to import CD\'s. That\'s all easy enough, you can change the bitrate in the options menu, and the directory for it all to be saved in, then all you need is to insert the CD and click Rip.

Just a thought for a possible alternative :)

[SK8-Bizarre]

Ahh ok I had been looking at WMP and trying WMA files and used the WMA variable rate.
I can see I have a fair bit of playing around to do here.
Its going to be a Sound over content issue for me but until I try some diffo settings I wont know for sure.

I see you can save MP3 via WMP aswell.


Thanks for your help alanio
Any other tips advice from you or others always welcome to this newbie

SK8

[GSV]

VBR (whether wma, MP3 or .ogg) is much better value (quality per bit) than CBR. There are a few players (in car CD players, IME) which won\'t do VBR though.

I find .ogg at Q=1 is pretty near perfect (96 kb/s), or even q=-1 for listening out in the great outdoors. For an archive copy on a PC you may want something better (Q=5, 6 or 7). Some people archive to .flac, but if you still have the CD around, I don\'t see the point.

MP3 is the weakest format, in terms of quality per bit, especially at low bitrates (by 256 or 320 they all come out pretty similar). Down at 64-128 .wma and .ogg sound better. MP3 at 48kb/s would drive me crazy, but .ogg at the same rate (Q=-1) is fine.

If you want to experiment (on your PC) there is a free program called WINABX which lets you prove whether you can tell the difference. Most people overestimate how good their ears are. 8>.

[SK8-Bizarre]

Couldnt agree more with most people thinking their ears are better than they actually are.

The only way I go by is not the quality of the sound so much as when I listen to a demo of a new part for my seperates system or say on a mates and you pick out parts or things you have not noticed before. Can be the slightest thing! and all of a sudden you are wow why have I not heard that before (though this isnt that often as your spending has to jump a load each time for the real diffo).

Funniest is when you listen to something on a better system than yours or you have and realise how bad a recording/production is on an album but usually thats the older ones (albums that is).

Also me first of all trying out my new UE buds and thinking they were sh*t and very treble heavy even tinny... before sorting the fit and getting the x come through :rolleyes: well chuffed with em now.

[alanio]

I know what you mean about hearing things you\'ve never noticed before. When I switched to E2Cs, I was hearing things that I\'d missed on files that were still only 128kbps MP3s. Freakin\' sweet!

[GSV]

Does depend on your ears somewhat, but for pure misery you can try a pair of Sennheiser\'s top of the line phones (with an amplifier, which you will need), at which point some people apparently swear off MP3 players for life, because they can hear all the artifacts. 8>.

Me, I like something more portable, and open (the PX100s are good), and in the street you are going to have trouble telling .ogg Q=1 from CD, IMO. It SOUNDS better with closed or isolating phones - right up to the point where the car you didn\'t hear coming kills you.

[davejc]

right up to the point where the car you didn\\\'t hear coming kills you.

Morale of the story...

Don\'t look at your player as you cross roads!!! :D

[GSV]

On the sort of roads I walk along that isn\'t the problem .. there is only one lane anyway, and nowhere to cross to (no sidewalks).

The problem is cars coming up behind you too fast around blind bends .. you need either eyes in the back of your head, or some hearing left!