Archived from ListenSmart.com, November 1, 2003. Historical; not current advice. Software, prices and links are as they were then.
Source: Wayback Machine capture.
Windows Encoders
AudioCatalyst Windows/95/98/NT Homepage | Download
AudioCatalyst has the ability to double as both your CD ripper and audio encoder. Essentially it is a combination of the popular ripper, AudioGrabber and Xing Technology's XingMP3 Encoder. In addition to being able to rip digitally, AudioCatalyst features CDDB support, the option to save as either a WAV or an MP3 file, manageable start and stop times, volume normalization, and variable bit rate encoding. Above all, Xing's Variable Bit Rate (VBR) encoding system produces higher quality sound and does so while creating a minimal sized file.
BladeEnc's Mp3 Encoder Windows/95/98/NT Shareware -$29.95 Homepage | Download
BladeEnc is a 32-bit application that encodes WAV or AIFF files into MP3s. To create MP3s, you have the option of either using command-line parameters or your may use the simple drag-and-drop technique. If your preference is to avoid usage of the command line, a user-friendly BladEnc front end (BladeEnc Helper) is also available. The BladeEnc Helper will let you choose your settings and files a single dialog box and then starts the encoder program for you. For operating instructions be sure to check out the included bladeenc.html file.
MP3Enc Windows/95/98/NT Shareware-$199 Homepage | Download
MP3Enc is the command-line back-end encoder from the Fraunhofer Institute. It converts AIFF, AIFF-C, WAV/RIFF and raw PCM data files into WAV or MP3s. Latest versions allow you to adjust bitrate, sampling rate, and encoder bandwidth/ quality. Additionally, with this encoder, stereo sound can be converted to mono when needed.
Please Note: This shareware version is recommended for the more advanced users only.