96 AAC VBR that good? Or am I deaf? Options

[Carsi]

Hi there.

This is my 2nd topic here at HA. My first post was about a Rammstein sample where i ABX'ed 20/20 at 128 AAC VBR. That's the only sample so far that I can ABX 20/20. I recently tried 96 AAC VBR, and it sounds surprisingly good. I can't ABX it :/ Apart from that particular Rammstein sample.

My question is this, I've finally re-ripped all my cd's to ALAC. If I convert them to 96 AAC VBR, would you say it would be transparent? I'm using Creative Aurvana Live headphones, not high end. I'm trying to fit as many songs as possible on my iphone 5 32GB.

[Nessuno]

I recently tried 96 AAC VBR, and it sounds surprisingly good. I can't ABX it :/ Apart from that particular Rammstein sample.
...
If I convert them to 96 AAC VBR, would you say it would be transparent?

As others already said, only you can answer... and it seems to me you've already answered!

Keep lossless files of course, convert to that bitrate you yourself said you can't ABX, fill up your phone, then forget the whole question and start listening for pleasure, with your equipment, your music, in your usual environment. Should you find in those conditions another critical sample, go back to lossless file and transcode it to a higher bitrate... or if there are only a few, keep them lossless even on portable!