Yes, I was quite surprised as well...
Since you have started a new topic here's some more info:
Few months ago I've been comparing following encoders: BladeEnc, MusicMatch, MPegger, mp3 Encoder and DropMP3. I have tested a file in 44kHz/16bit/stereo/128kbs/CBR.
mp3 Encoder and DropMP3 were the winners, however DropMP3 is faster and definitely more comfortable to use. mp3 encoder 0.12 is a hack using a free Macromedia SoundEdit plug-in, the quality is excellent though.
DropMP3
is very good. And it's free... Although there's one minus point -- I think there is no manual available. But you can still read the MPegger manual to figure most of it out...
And yes, DropMP3 is scriptable as well. In this case -- together with OSA Menu the possibilities seem just unlimited! (I think that for me it's right about time to start to learn some serious AppleScripting...)
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Lukas