Hi all,

As I rip and encode my tunes, I've been using VBR MP3 (high quality) - as per Adam Shawley's informative MC9 post in a different section.

However, as I get to my Jazz (mostly bebop, post-bop, and cool) as well as the few but growing collection of classical discs, I wonder if anyone has any strong opinions about using VBR (which I think I average about 192 bitrate) vs a consistent 320 bitrate. I know that typically, the classical and jazz fans are the audiophiles with the golden ears, so I'd love to know if it's a MUST to have 320 or if VBR will work for all but the most discerning listener.

I am upgrading to the Shure e2c's soon so that will play into how it will sound(not ready to jump for the etys). Most of the jazz is AAD (originally recorded in the mid-late 50's, early 60s), but most of the classical is ADD (recorded 90s-2000s).

Sorry if this was already addressed before, but I looked around the forums for an answer but wasn't able to find the info.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

-Kenji