Best Compressed Audio File Format

[LumpenEllimint]

Hey all,

I've been ripping my audio cds to vbr mp3s thus far, religiously following Paul's How To, but have been filled with doubts about the viability of .mp3 as a compressed audio format. I've been reading a bit about .aac and .mp4 - do either of these beat .mp3 in striking the perfect balance between size and quality? Or is there another format that beats all three? Please note I am not talking about compatibility or popularity of the format, just the quality.

Lastly, since I'm on about aac/mp4, how about how-to guides for these formats as well?

Thanks,

Lump.

[4play]

here is an interesting artcile on a few highly used audio formats.

I prefer ogg myself.

[ck-uk]

mate....here too...

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=idx

[Snee]

Keep to mp3 for a while longer if you are uncertain. It's got so much support and all.

It seems ogg is the most effective of the ones lots of people use, otherwise.

I'm not at all keen on aac, used to get it for my old phone/music player, glad I don't have to now.

[sparsely]

mp3 for compatibility...but mpc is the best of the newer formats, imo.

[Entity101]

(He-)AAC will be the future.

[LumpenEllimint]

Thanks guys!!!

Lump.