Does anyone know if the latest (4.7 as of today) iTunes has a fixed QT AAC encoder? I'm specifically talking about iTunes post-4.2 versions where there were ringing artifacts introduced. I'm still stuck on 4.2 because I don't want to use the broken encoders of the later versions.

On a similar subject, what is the status of the latest Nero AAC encoder? Has the encoder reached the same quality level as the QT encoder? Last time I saw it tested (summer 2004), it was still a bit below QT. Has a newer encoder closed the gap? I'm running the latest Nero (6601). If it's now the same quality, maybe I can dump iTunes altogether (reason to use it in the first place: iPod).

Haven't been able to keep up with HA for the past two months due to moving and loss of internet access, so sorry if this has been covered. Thankfully, I'm now back online... It's been a loooong couple of months...

There has not been any conclusive AAC tests since then IIRC. Also bear in mind that the last test that pinned Nero AAC and iTunes AAC against each other was only at 128kbit/s and cannot be extrapolated to other bitrates. AFAIK iTunes AAC might be still ahead at 128kbit/s, but who knows at this point.