High End Ripping and Encoding CD Audio

[Rick Nebiolo]

Several years ago I converted most of my CDs to MP3s using the then popular MusicMatch Jukebox at a bit rate in of 128K (on recent albums the highest rate of 320K). This was fine with my old speakers and limited storage. Now I have a lot more disk storage and will be getting one of the better multi-media speakers (probably the Swans) discussed in this 2+2 thread. I have been told and expect the new setup will magnify the weaknesses of my MP3s compared to the original source.

Anyway, over time I've become less enamored with Musicmatch Jukebox (as it is I reverted to the older version 7.5). From surfing around it seems there are much better ways to encode CDs and play MP3s (or other file compression formats). The place that originally got me interested was Radified's Guide to Ripping and Encoding which eventually links to the HydrogenAudio Forum.

My questions are:

Am I pointed in the right direction (i.e., am I reading good information) regarding better ways to convert my CDs to MP3s or other formats? If not do you have better links?

What ripper/encoder/player do you use and/or recommend?

Keep in mind I'm a fifty year old guy who hasn't been near a college dorm room in 28 years so keep it simple [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

~ Rick