sibilance/static/crackly noise on rips

[Greg M]

Here's the problem
I have ripped my entire CD collection to computer (using Itunes to index and play)
Once in a while I will rip a sound track song off a DVD. Usually off the credits because there is no dialog. I use Audacity to grab the tack and then convert it to MP3 and then import it to Itunes. I use the highest rates available. Sometimes I will buy single MP3 songs of Amazon.

My CDs sound great.
The rips and MP3 sometimes have a little crackle/static almost like sibilance. At first I thought I had a tube going out in the McIntosh or maybe a speaker in the Klipsh(s) But I have eliminated both those by changing amps and speakers.

Is it just the nature of the rips/MP3 to sound that way?
Is there anything I can do to improve this?

Thanks

 

[diggy_dude]

That's not inherent in MPEG compression. It sounds like data dropout due to deficiencies in the hardware or software used to rip the tracks.

 

[Greg M]

I'm in the process of re ripping my collection using FLAC (Songbird)
I have also just bought (but not gotten yet) the M-Audio Audiophile 2496.
I'm hoping that is going to help the situation.

I have been using the "Line Out" (green) from the Gigabyte mbrd, into a NAD 1700 preamp.
Any suggestions appreciated