Best program to rip mp3s?

[Rochambeau 10+ year member]

I am getting close to getting a new higher-end system complete with iPod connection so that I can have all my music in the car with me at all times. So I am going to soon be ripping all of my 100 or so CDs into mp3 to stick on that iPod.

My question is, what program will give me the best SQ on my mp3s while still utilizing the online CDDB?

I know, I know... mp3s **** for SQ. I plan on having DVD and CD changers too for when I want it to sound top notch but I just can't resist the ability to play any song/album in my collection whenever the mood so strikes me.

PS: FWIW I do have a decent 'puter with 3Ghz P4, Audigy sound card and 1Gig of hi-speed RAM (it's a gaming rig).

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[Rochambeau 10+ year member]

Oh, on a related note, I found this thread on another board: http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=38962

Helps to clarify the different file formats.

Anyone have an opinion on using Apple Lossless on an iPod?

Edit: A detailed explanation of formats (including discussion of quality) on the same board: http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=165009

 

[headless 10+ year member]

The quality of the output stage on an iPod makes lossless a moot point, IMO, especially if you're one of the poor bastards with a Gen3 ipod with castrated low frequency outputs. EAC to rip and LAME to encode at a bitrate >192k (think 256 or 320k) will do fine for you.

 

[ismelllikepoop 10+ year member]

i use either cdex, or eac. both work pretty well, and the LAME alt-presets work great. they use variable bitrate to minimize space, and they sound pretty close to cd.