I recently encoded several tracks ripped from CD by EAC in safe mode and compared the outputs of Lame 3.96.1
--alt-preset standard
to
--alt preset fast standard
As far as the documentation goes the only difference between these two presets is the use of the VBR-NEW (MTRH) algorithm with the fast preset.
When doing some search on the internet it's hard to find any profound informations as how good the NEW algorithm performs.
There has been one topic here at Hydrogenaudio that did some listening comparison between the two, but only on a small basis.
Furthermore the general claim about the VBR-NEW against the OLD is that is uses "slightly" more bitrate for "slightly" less quality.
For me FAST standard (VBR-NEW) encodes about 50%-100% faster than standard (OLD).
Now I found out that sometimes the FAST standard (NEW) encodes can use less bitrate (smaller files) for some sources.
Usually the size of FAST standard encodes can be bigger upto 10% compared to OLD.
When encoding a heap of my own cds, partly newer ones, partly old (digitally remastered) ones, it seems like if the older ones happen to come out smaller (less bitrate) when using FAST standard.
These include the following albums:
- Conan: Soundtrack
- Clanad: Banba
- The Doors: Best off
- The Rocky Horror Picture show
Now I wonder how full albums can have less bitrate with VBR-NEW compared to OLD? Do these (digitally remastered) cds lack something that makes them encode better with the new algorithm?
Or is it because these are generally less loud and noisy than current music (which is often using distorted sounds)?
Anyway, I have not found any profound recommendation about VBR-NEW. Shouldn't we all use it, when it is so much faster?
I have made some subjective comparison, using both encodes of the same source and comparing them with Foobar (24bit output over M-Audio Audiophile, kernel-streaming and asio, no dithering) and Winamp (24bit output over same hardware, using mpg123.dll, asio-output).
The line-out went through a Behringer mixer right into my Sony Digital Reference CD770 headphone (50mm driver, 5-35kHz response) and alternatively to my crappy desktop-speakers.
Actually I heard no differences whatsoever.
