In terms of audio quality, both Icecast and SHOUTcast offer very good audio quality.
Both protocols support a variety of audio codecs, including MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis and Opus.
However, there are some small differences between the two protocols that can affect audio quality.
Icecast:
Supports a variety of audio codecs, including MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis and Opus.
Supports high-definition (HD) audio streaming with a bitrate of up to 320 kbps.
Supports mount points, which allow you to stream multiple audio streams from a single server.
SHOUTcast
Supports a variety of audio codecs, including MP3, AAC and Ogg Vorbis.
Supports high-definition (HD) audio streaming with a bitrate of up to 320 kbps.
Supports a directory system, which allows listeners to find their favorite stations.