Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5

[Tenacious]

I have been using Audion (old program originated on classic Mac) for encoding and playback.  It has a simple, intuitive interface, which I like.

The annoying thing is when I convert audio tracks from a CD to Mp3 format, I always seem to loose signal strength.  When I play back the resulting Mp3, I have to increase the volume to get a satisfactory listening level.  On some classical pieces, the volume must be turned up all the way.  There is a Relative Volume Adjustment in the ID Tag editor, but, it does not seem to have enough adjustment.

Maybe it's time for me to find a better encoder program.  Suggestions?  I don't have patience with complex user interfaces.

[Tenacious]

In hind-sight, that is the obvious answer.  

I have a distrust of iTunes, removed it from my system when I first got it.  I may have to reconsider.

I was hoping there was an outstanding 3rd party app that was easy to use and well known.  I have played with Macs for a long time, but have only begun to use one seriously in the last 6 months.

[Tenacious]

Thanks guys!  I'll try them out.

[Tenacious]

Agreed. Whether you like a CLI or not, lame seems to generate the best audio quality (subjectively) of all the mp3 encoders I've used of the years.

Audion has two Mp3 encoder options: the first from Coding Technologies and the second is PMLame (based on Lame 3.92).  If PMLame (I haven't tried it yet) does a better job, I won't have to waste time learning a new interface.

I'm starting to wonder if my quality issues are related to hardware.  OTOH, converting a CD to Mp3 may not involve much hardware.  I think the program reads the audio track/file and converts it directly.

Maybe the CD's label is off center just enough to cause a disrupting wobble.  

[Tenacious]

I changed Audion's preferences to use its PMLame encoder.  I think the quality is improved, but, these things are hard to quantify.

I like many kinds of music, but, classical may do more to reveal the shortcomings of different media formats because of the dynamic range (soft quiet sections and loud thundering climaxes).  Worse still, I like to take my Mp3s in the car.  Road noise alone drowns the soft stuff.  I might expect too much.

@ Franko

I wont have my Amigas back to 100% until this winter (fewer chores).  I may try Lame on Amiga then.