I want to know what the best format to use:
1) I'm ripping from original CDs
2) I'm using 128 kbit/sec
3) I'm using a Creative ZEN 16GB flash player
4) I'm using Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro earphones
For years (over 10) I've always used MP3 for my music. I had a Creative Zen with a 30GB hard disk.
Recently I've been using my Nokia phone with 4GB on it, so I've been forced to convert my music to 64 kbit. I used WMA, it sounds OK-ish, better than MP3 anyway at these low bitrates.
Now I've just got a Creative ZEN with 16GB flash. I'm ripping my favourite CDs to FLAC, so I can play around with different formats converted from FLAC without having to keep ripping the CD.
My choices with the Zen are as follows:
MP3
WMA (but WMA Professional does not work)
AAC
What format do you think I should use? I'm restricting the bit rate to around 128 kbit.
Will WMA be better than MP3 at 128 kbit? Will AAC be better? And VBR or CBR? I know the difference betwen VBR and CBR but I'm not sure what is best at around 128 kbit.
I can spend all day trying different formats, but I really don't have time to compare entire albums in different formats.
What do you think?
