MP3 file quality

[Razor X]

Some people swear that the audio quality of MP3 files downloaded over the inernet is noticably inferior to the audio quality of CDs.  Have any of you found that to be the case?  I'm pretty picky about things like that, but I really can't notice any difference.  I'm talking about 256 kbps files purchased from sites like Amazon, not low bit-rate files that are on the peer-to-peer sites.

[SonOfKrypton]

Can't tell the difference at that bit rate....I can only tell the difference at a bit rate of 128 kbps MP3.

[Razor X]

I can hear slight differences at 192 kbps, but they are very slight.  But 256 kbps sounds just as good as a CD to me.  Better in fact, than some of my older CDs.

[JDog]

RazorX,just out of curiosity.How much do you pay per cd when you buy them on Amazon or iTunes?

[Razor X]

RazorX,just out of curiosity.How much do you pay per cd when you buy them on Amazon or iTunes?

Usually about $9.90 for an entire CD.  Individual tracks are 99 cents in iTunes and usually 89 or 99 cents in Amazon.  The Amazon files are DRM free and they also don't charge state sales tax (yet!) which makes them slightly cheaper.

[TomS]

I stick with 128 kbps mp3 files.  I think it's a good compromise of quality and size, never really thought it sounded bad at all. 

[SLYinKC]

I stick with 128 kbps mp3 files.  I think it's a good compromise of quality and size, never really thought it sounded bad at all. 

I have an MP3 on my cell phone.  It works for now and it was free with my cell phone