Best codec/bitrate for my purposes

[gunnm74]

I have about 800 CDs and I would like to rip them all to put on a 160gb classic iPod. I was experimenting today with the Apple Lossless codec and I discovered that one album seems to be about 320mb. At least that was the case with a ~45 minute CD.

At that rate, I'll only be able to encode about 500 albums. Does anyone have any other suggestions for what codec and bitrate will give me the best quality sound? I'll also be purchasing some good earphones (between $250 and $400) to listen to my iPod with.

 

[aznx]

shure e5s?

can you even listen to 800 albums all at once?

 

[Mansize_tissue]

I'd just use 192kbps AAC. Or, if you want compatibility with other DAPs, 256kbps MP3 VBR. Why not try some listening tests? Chances are you won't be able to tell the difference between 192kbps AAC and ALAC.

 

[illgiveumorality]

I don't know how much space you have, but for my ipod I decided to go with dual libraries- a main one with all my lossless files and one for my ipod with my music compressed, transparent to the "main" one.

 

[gunnm74]

Not sure I quite get the point about the two libraries, unless the lossless library is for archival purposes. Given the low cost of hard drives, that might make sense. It would also provide me with weekend projects for the next six months. I think it will already take an inordinately long amount of time to rip all of my CDs.

Occasionally I listen to all 800 at once but it sure is exhausting turning on all of my stereos. By the time I'm done, I don't want to listen anymore.