MP3's vs. original recording SQ??
 

I've had my system in my car for a while however last night for the first time I put in an original CD rather than a MP3 loaded home made CD...

I have to say that the different was a LOT more than just barely noticeable. It sounds like the front stage is 12" higher, the subs are crisper and basically sounds like a totally new system.

Can this be? I figured that there would be a difference, but this much?

The MP3's were recorded from my own CD's @ 128 bit rate...

Your Bitrate is way to low for amplified reproduction.. My MP3's are all 320kbps. I ran into the exact same issue DJ'ing when first switching over to digital..

128kb/s lol.. omg, that is low.. even 192 is border line

LOL thanks guys.

I find 256kbps is a perfect balance between SQ and file size for me. Can't hear much difference between this and original CD on my system. However to be safe 320kbps is what I normally do. Hope that helps.

SQ over file size for me 320 but i like my cd's

dvd is the best then original cd > burn CD tape is still better than MP3 but I would stick with a higher bit rate when burning CD for the car

well..... i find the difference usually lies in the richness of the recording, from about 500hz and down. With the MP3.. there're less tone colours and dynamics. it depends on the music you listen to tho.. cause its most critical with acoustic instruments like in the lower octaves of gitars, piano, cello, etc. and not as bad on electronic synthesizers based instruments.

the top end in some case is actually more open or airy from the mp3. but CD isn't perfect either.. :ohwell:

Get an 80GB ipod video and an ipod compatible deck (not aux in), rip everything as lossless m4a.
Only way to go if you don't want to carry around all those cd's.

Does anyone here know off the top of their head if the Eclipse 8445 is ipod ready? I think it is but I can't recall for sure.