I'm copying files for my fairly crappy MP3 player that doesn't support VBR very well, and so I can use either 128 or 160 CBR.

What's the best version to use? I'm prepared to use one of the latest builds

Edit - I made it seem like the sound quality is terrible. It's actually really good compared to other players, but it just gets garbled in parts with VBR2. I use Sennheiser PX100s with it normally

Thanks
Matt

I'd use LAME 3.96.1 and --preset cbr 128 but that is only because you said your player doesn't support VBR. Otherwise, LAME 3.96.1 and -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 is the way to go at the 128kbps bitrate range

Thanks. I'm being lazy here by asking and not googling, but what's the best program for encoding/decoding etc for use with LAME? (it doesn't have to be free)

Thanks
Matt

I don't think it matters, but if you need a good ripper + encoder use EAC.

I'd also first try what Jojo suggested. Maybe your player choked not because of VBR but because of too high data rate or specifically because of 320k frames which often occur with VBR2. You could also try -V2 -B 256 and see if this solves your problem. If you need 128 CBR, also take a look at Lame 3.90.3. IIRC, it was established here that it gives better quality than Lame 3.96.1 with the setting --alt-preset cbr 128. Or, you could try the latest Lame 3.97 alpha, which was very good with --alt-preset 128 in recent tests.

Not the latest one, mind you. But alpha7.
I'm not sure 128 CBR changed at all, though, but still.

CBR has gotten dynamic ATH adjustment apparently - I like the idea of that