http://www.thomson-multimedia.com/gb/06/c01/010614.htm

Check out the news release. It's tells about Mp3Pro, which offers 128kb performance with 64kb encoding. Sounds pretty interesting...

Thing is though that most mp3 releases are typically 192kb, so conserving space is the last thing thats on everyone's mind. But, apparently the quality of the 64kb mp3pro file is actually better than a 160kb mp3 file. Now THAT is interesting.

Try variable bitrate. I have audiocatalyst set to high quality variable, and it keeps the "CD" sound. the bit rate varies between 190 and 96. Sounds damn good and takes up very little space.

I know. VBR was a good improvement over fixed bitrates, but this mp3pro thing is the next big step forward, not just a good improvement.