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[Markeau]

After upgrading to MC11, some mp3 rips+encodes seem that they might not be quite as good as in MC10 ... Using the native mp3 LAME encoder: Bitrate ABR Encoding, Target bitrate 320, with Restrict encoder to CBR checked ... Before, with MC10, I chose 320 and "Very High" - don't see that latter option in the MC11 mp3 options.

Might there be a better Custom Command Line Switch setting that I could/should be using?

[Alex B]

That setting uses "--preset cbr 320" (= exactly the same thing as "--preset insane" in the current LAME version). It gives the the best possible MP3 quality according to the LAME developers and many users. The "Advanced > Quality > High Quality" option as seen in previous MC versions caused speed problems with LAME v. 3.96.1, because the internal mappings in the encoder have changed.

More information in these threads:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=24615.0
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=24291.0

If you absolutely must tweak something you could try this command line: "--preset insane --lowpass 19.5". It may or may not be better. I will try to explain why if somebody who knows what that means and does is interested.

[Markeau]

OK Thanks ... you mention --lowpass 19.5, what normally is the cutoff when specifying just --preset cbr 320?

[Alex B]

20.5 kHz

[Markeau]

20.5 kHz

OK, I thought it was like 22 or 22.5 ... does specifying 19.5 give a cleaner result or something?  I could probly live fine without >19.5

[Alex B]

The theoretical maximum of the CD audio is 22 kHz.

Most of us don't hear the difference between e.g. 19 kHz and 22 kHz limit.

When an audio track contains those almost inaudible high frequencies that 19.5 kHz lowpass may leave about 5% more bits for the other more important frequencies. It could be like having a 336 kbps MP3 without that low pass setting. At least in theory, I don't know if the difference is audible.