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Topic: Highest Possible AAC Quality (Read 4684 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #25 –
Given that your request is very specific (old equipment: CD-R, WMA Standard...) and applies to a time-limited context (your CD-Rs and your car will soon end up in the dump), I wouldn't think twice and would adopt a playful approach. I would vary the pleasures and even take the opportunity to burn some 'low-quality' CDs just to see how they sound in the car. Three or four years ago, I was amused to find that 48 kbps encodings in USAC (xHE-AAC) seemed acceptable in the car (Bluetooth transmission). In any case, I would avoid MP3 at 320 kbps for CD-R: the only certainty is that it takes up a lot of space on a limited medium (with the added risk of skips if there are reading difficulties because the buffer fills up quickly).

Regarding WMA Standard, it can't be said that it garnered much sympathy or interest on this forum, even in its early days. I don't think anyone today could seriously discuss its relative quality compared to high-bitrate MP3. My advice: use LAME MP3, in VBR, at V0 if you really prioritize security over practicality. Otherwise, use LAME at -V4 on a first CD-R, just to ensure everything works fine (VBR support, tag support, etc.).
Wavpack Hybrid -c4hx6

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #26 –
Quote from: guruboolez on
(your CD-Rs and your car will soon end up in the dump)

I'd say that this remark is very impolite or worse, unless you have the information that verifies this which seems to be a weak possibility (I'd be happy to know it if that's the case).

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #27 –
Since my remark was impolite and based on a probabilistic interpretation with flawed premises, I'll allow myself to rephrase it.

Automobiles are known for being indestructible and rot-proof machines, benefiting from extensive government policies that favor keeping them on the road rather than purchasing new vehicles. Moreover, the lenses of CD players exhibit an absolutely extraordinary resistance over time. Considering these factors together, it seems more than likely that you'll still be driving your older car at the dawn of the 22nd century (the extension of lifespan will greatly help). Furthermore, the automobile (especially if it's old, with heat engine, and somewhat worn) offers unparalleled acoustics, making it absolutely necessary to opt for uncompromising encoding quality. I'll add that hearing improves with age: don't we see wealthy octogenarians investing in cables as thick as an anaconda and enjoying the improvement? In short, in such a hardware and biological context, I invite you not to take lightly the decision to store music on an optical medium for your car.

Therefore, perhaps it's worth considering not encoding your music at all and burning it as CDs in Red Book format, using a Plextor brand burner (obviously), at a maximum speed of x1 (it's common sense), with CD-Rs produced by Taiyo Yuden (that goes without saying), preferably manufactured between 2000 and 2006 (hard to find but when you love something, you don't count the cost). Don't forget to mark the edge of the CD with a green marker to limit light leakage. The sonic experience will be transformed and you'll be safe and happy for the next decades.

Cheers.
Wavpack Hybrid -c4hx6

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #28 –
Quote from: guruboolez on
your CD-Rs and your car will soon end up in the dump
You'd be surprised how the life expectancy of durable goods varies per country - especially in the so-called third world - which I proudly belong to. Since the OP didn't say it, as it's clearly not necessary, we can safely assume at least that's definitely not your own case.

Take it from the expert: being realistic, pragmatic and occasionally sharp and dry is one thing; being just plainly offensive and sounding like you just had a few too many at your local, is weird - especially coming from someone as apparently nice and useful to this community as you - just the opposite of me, naturally.

Edit: changed 'consumables' to 'durable goods'
• Listen to the music, not the media it's on
• The older, the 'lossier'

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #29 –
I must admit that my initial response is strongly tinged with a form of ecocentrism. Yet, not so long ago, I myself was driving a car with a cassette player. Developing country or not, there comes a time when maintaining a vehicle costs more than buying a used one. That said, there was no intention to offend anyone. I am still convinced that the choices Rick Roberts will have to make will not commit him for very long, and that the CDs he intends to burn for his vehicle will rather soon than late no longer be of use to him. And especially if he lives in a developing country, I can only imagine that the state of the roads will not help in having a great acoustic experience, and it is all the more wise to encourage him not to focus on excessive bitrates.
Anyway, sorry if it feels offended. My intention is not to snub nor patronize anyone, but to give an opinion since it is solicited by Rick by posting on an international forum.
Wavpack Hybrid -c4hx6

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #30 –
No offense taken at all, I like the old car to audio analogy  - yes I've been there .

Re: Highest Possible AAC Quality

Reply #31 –
Some pretty lively discussion going on here!  I don’t take any offense.  I won’t comment on most of it, other than to say it’s a 2008 Toyota with 130K miles… so who knows.  

The main sense I get out of these discussions is a very grounded and practical view of these codecs, which makes sense.  But going back to my first post… when not limited to storage space and with the low cost of large USB drives today in 2025, it can also be asked, why not go with max AAC settings (or better yet, flac when it supports it and file formats like exFAT or NTFS)?  The only downside is the number of songs you can fit, which even for my fat32 USB, still got me a happy ~3,000 songs that are as close as lossless as possible and give me the admittedly dumb, but satisfying feeling, I’m feeding it the very best input I can.  Conversely, the CD-R disc example is where the storage space is much more limiting, and I fully appreciate the advice of using Lame mp3 VBR at much more moderate bitrates (if the vehicle lasts much longer  :) ).