Generally speaking, AAC compression can achieve the same quality audio as MP3 while using a lower bit rate and a smaller file size.

256 MP3 is pretty good, I would directly convert them to 192 AAC (which is what I use for my iPod). In doing so, you will save considerable space if you have a lot of music. No need to re-rip all your music, IMO.

192 AAC is more or less lossless in terms of audio quality. People will argue there is still some loss of fidelity, but you will always have that when you are compressing music. Furthermore, if you are playing your iPod on a system good enough to discern the difference (and not imagine it), you should be using your reference CDs anyway.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon