I know this sounds silly but I am new to encoding, and cannot figure out how to set lame presets (in Audio Crusher, cant use EAC or CDEX because of ASPI). Where and how do I enter them?
Also, I am about to buy canal phones but cannot decide whether to go for Shure E4C or Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro Earphones. I listen to mostly rock and metal, so all the reviews I've read recomend the UEs for strong bass yet they all prefer the E4s overall...
E4s seem to have more clarity correct, so if I attached them to a Pocket Amp 2V2 would that improve the bass? Overall, which set would you recommend for my taste?

EDIT:The phones and amp would be used mostly with a zen micro.
Thanks for the help guys!

I don't myself have canalphones, but when I do buy myself a pair, they'll be Etymotic ER-6 (or ER-6i, with a bass-boost and lower impedance) -- I suggest that you look into these - they're particularly built for portable mp3 players, in the second case. As for configuring your program with LAME, I don't know of it, but I'm sure I could help set up EAC with your system -- just explain what the problem is, and I'll try to help!

Peace,
Tristan.

edit : nothing sounds silly -- everyone is new to everything, at least once in their life.

Yes, you should really use EAC to rip to the Lame mp3 format. If you are using Lame 3.90.3 or Lame 3.96.1 then I suggest using the following command lines (strings):
--alt-preset standard
--alt-preset fast standard (only with 3.96.1)
--alt-preset extreme
--alt-preset fast extreme (only with 3.96.1)

The -preset standard is considered to be CD transparency for most tracks and people out there. You can use the -preset fast standard with Lame 3.96.1 but it will produce somewhat larger files but they should be at the same quality of the -preset standard switch.

If you are using Lame 3.97b1 then I suggest the following command lines:
-V 2 --vbr-new
-V 0 --vbr-new

For some reason I cannot get the normal switches (above used for 3.90.3 and 3.96.1) to work with EAC but these two work fine. I recomend using -V 2 --vbr-new to encode your CD's. In my opinion, Lame 3.97b1 improves the quality of the tracks when compared to 3.96.1 Keep in mind that I can really only test the higher bitrates using my car setup and I cannot really do any blind tests except for making a random playlist. So this is just my judgement which may not refelct the actual results or the judgements made by the Lame developers. Additionally, the Lame developers do not support my statements and neither does this website.

If you have a problem with ASPI, you can still use EAC as it allows you to use Win2k/XP's native SPTI interface.

Or the VOB one, see here).

If I remember rightly EAC won't see your drive in the initial "install wizard" unless you have ASPI though - so you don't get to select SPTI, as you can't complete the setup without selecting a drive.

I may very well be wrong.

Maybe you can bypass the wizard somehow...

Wow thanks for responding guys! After installing new ASPI drivers, then down-grading with Force ASPI and still having no success...I gave up. I thought it was the generic japanese CD drive on my Toshiba laptop, but this morning... Success! Anyway I thought that the Etys were a tier lower then the two canalphones I'm discussing am I wrong?
But Im still not sure where I enter the command for presets in EAC (in particular VBR extreme)? Thanks for the help!

In a rush apologize for the typing and grammer!

Coaster Factory's EAC Quickstart Manual :
http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac-qs-en.htm

-Martin.