You can set iTunes to rip at just about any "normal" MP3 rate. I rip my CDs at 160/320kbps, and while the files are bigger than the usual, lower rate, I think they're cleaner rips. My only issue with ripping using iTunes is that I'm not thrilled with tagging using iTunes. Not a big deal, but it's not the way I like doing it. (I prefer MusicMatch Jukebox (before Yahoo! tweaked it).)