mp3 player: rip programs, best format?


Hello all. I've recently received an mp3 player, an Iriver 40gb. So far I'm enjoying it as it replaces my walkman and the need to drag cds around during commute. A few questions: what is the best format out there, and the software that does a good job of ripping the cds.
I've done some research and settled on Ogg Vorbis as it takes up less momory and sounds just as good as regular mp3. The issue I'm having is the software that I'm using, a shareware program called "Audiograbber". With regular mp3, It takes about 5 minutes. With Ogg Vorbis and the Audiograbber program, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to do one.
Is Ogg Vorbis the "best" out there in terms of format? If so, can someone recommend a program (preferabbly shareware, but not limited to) that does ripping well and fast.
Thanks.
mhu

Showing 2 responses by pbowne

I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) to copy the piece of music to my hard drive. Even though EAC can convert to mp3, I then use Audiograbber to do the conversion, because it allows me to copy at 320-bit variable, which gives a very high quality mp3 file without the large size of the a 320-bit fixed file.

I've played these files on my Sony 775 DVD/CD/SACD player in my system and most people never realize they are listening to mp3's. (It is quite easy to tell the difference, though, if you listen. Mostly in dynamics and air, although some of the files are surprisingly close.)

Sorry for taking so long to respond.

I use the 2-step process because Audiograbber is the only program I've seen that will record in 320kbps variable rate. I've found that it doesn't sound much different from the 320kbps fixed rate, but the file sizes are about half.