mp3 to wav to mp3 to wav same? Options

[gts]

If a file is encoded to mp3, then coverted back to a wav, and then that wav is convered back to mp3, will the both mp3s be the same?

[aggies11]

Not to resurrect a dead thread or anything, but it does seem to be the most appropriate place for the question. (If it's not, please forgive me )

I understand the reasoning why re-encoding is still a lossy process, but I've always been curious about the following idea(s):

Assuming mp3 encoding, in it's basic form consists of 2 steps (I'm not too well versed in the nitty gritty of encoding, so don't hessitate to correct me where I'm wrong : - a lossy psycho-perceptual "throwing away" / modifying of the waveform. - followed by a lossless compression of this new modified wave (presumably the same waveform that results from decoding).

Could it not be possible than to design some sort of method to *insert* the decoded wave, back into the encode process, *after* the "throwing away" / alteration point, so that this wave (which has already undergone this process, in it's original encoding) can now undergo the same lossless compression. There by getting it back to it's "original" mp3 encoded state?

And in a somewhat related manner: Is the mp3 decode process, reversable? Ie. Is there an inverse algorithm that can be used to take a decoded waveform, and reconstruct the mp3 that generated it. (Obviously knowing all the original encoding conditions). Not encoding in the traditional sense, merely an "undoing" of whatever the decode process did.

Of course, I am by no means saying these things are possible, I'm merely curious about the ideas

Thanks in advance,

Aggies