How are the streams encoded?

I am rather curious how you are managing the back-end encoding for these streams, specifically how much re-encoding is done, if the source content is already AAC+. Specifically, I know that you would want to recode any MP3 stream down to AAC+ for streaming, but if the source is already say, 48k AAC+ v2.0, will the audio be passed through without decoding/reencoding and thereby making it sound worse?

I personally have used VLC to connect to an AAC+ shoutcast via HTTP, and output the AAC+ audio as an RTP stream via sdp file and Quicktime/Apple Streaming Server. Is your process in this regard similar? (trans-encapsulation of the same AAC+ bitstream)

Just curious, as if I am able to get a low-bitrate first-generation stream re-encapsulated in RTP/RTSP format for cell playback, I would be extremely happy.

Thanks for the info, and for a great service!

We re-encode everything to PCM and from there to AAC+. I understand where you're coming from but re-encapsulating the original AAC+ stream would mean a lot of extra development work and exceptions in our code and then it would still only work for those few users that have their Moodio profile set to the exact same setting (for example, 48 kbps parametric stereo) as the original stream.