Ogg/MP3 encoding at very high bitrates

[Joseph Wakeling]

Cory K. wrote:
> The higher bitrate you use you obviously get closer to lossless. So it
> really becomes a question of acceptable file-size and HW support.
> 
> At high bitrates, you'll hear no difference between _any_ codecs. I've
> done studio testing to the effect. Most tests you'll find online test
> low bitrates also. That's where you see the difference and Vorbis
> usually does very well here.
> 
> So what is the target HW you use for playback? PMP (iPod) ? HTPS?

Thanks for the advice.  The target is my laptop (or other computer)
using Amarok, Audacious or JuK, with a (fairly nice) pair of headphones
or speakers.  I don't do MP3 players and so on, I hate tiny headphones. :-)

hollunder at gmx.at wrote:
> If you are interested in listening tests I recommend hydrogenaudio.org.
> The reason for me encoding in a lossless format is not so much weather
> I can hear the difference but about having the option to transcode
> however I like and having 'the original' in a digitised form.
> 
> If you want to test lossless files, read up on blind listening tests,
> start your test at some standard setting and work from there to see
> what's transparent or acceptable to you.

I think this is really why I'm inclined to go for FLAC too.  At present
disk space is an issue so I discriminate primarily on the basis of 'Do I
really really care about this album right now or not?'  Probably in the
long run I will do as Cory has done and back up my whole CD collection
in FLAC (all it needs is time plus a big enough external hard disk).

Thanks again to both of you for the suggestions and info.