....Creative MediaSource? If all I want to do is rip tracks from my CD collection, convert them to a MP3 format, and load them onto my player and MediaSource does all of that, is it still an advantage to have EAC/LAME? Obviously this post is for anyone familiar with both programs. Thanks in advance for any replies!
if MediaSource works for you, then use it. It might to a decent job. But the reason why EAC and LAME are recommended is simply because they are the best at what they do. Why drive a Toyota when you can drive a Ferrari? EAC is the most advanced ripper with extensive error correction and matches the drive's properties. LAME is considered the best quality mp3 encoder. So simply put, using EAC with LAME @ 256kbps VBR, you will get the highest quality mp3s possible...so thats why you should use them. typo
If you have a high-quality CD-ROM ripper, like a LITE-ON, and brand new and perfectly untouched CDs, then any CD ripping program is fine. Otherwise, as djscoop said, why not use the best? EAC has been able to read some heavily scratched audio CDs for me, that no other program could. Also, LAME is the best MP3 encoder out there. It has highly customizable settings so you can get the file size/quality you want. And the best part is, they're both totally free! I no longer rip to MP3, because I now use Apple Lossless with my 60GB iPod, but I still use EAC to rip to a .wav file and then convert the file with iTunes. I guess it just depends on how picky you are with your digital audio. Most people probably won't notice any difference, but if you're like me, EAC and LAME is the only way to rip to MP3.
