ripping mp3 - need advice
 

I am going to rip my CD collection to mp3 and would like some advice on what software people use and what bitrate seems to be have the best performance / file size. I intend to use the files on my computer at work, but will eventually use them on my hi-fi system at home - so quality is important.

I used iTunes to rip over 5k songs. It works very well. I used 128kbps.

A very powerful player/ripper is WinAmp Pro. For $20 you also get a very nice Library and Playlist interface...... http://www.winamp.com/player/product_overview.php

I've got 6k+ songs ripped by iTunes. I used 192kbs and have no complaints.

Many free programs that do an good job of ripping CD's, no reason to pay money for a program. I used Windows Media Player when i did mine.

3000+ with Roxio

ITUNES?!?!?! Give me a break......

DB poweramp

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

I would not go less than 224k. Things that sound fine on a portable system sound damn flat on a decent sound system. Drive space is cheap.

iTunes has an issue (at least it did with older versions. not sure about the latest) where it would create gaps between songs. Not a problem most of the time, but if you're ever ripping a cd where one track goes to the next without a break in the music when you play the mp3s back you'll hear a hiccup in the music.

Exact Audio Copy

None of that DRM crap for me.......I already paid for the CD's.

itunes just changed their software so that there is gapless playback