Hi Mark,
I'm probably too late for you on this, but here's what I do since I use FLAC files whenever possible:
Ripping from CD - I use EAC and I have 2 profiles stored, 1 for MP3 and 1 for FLAC. I always rip to FLAC and optionally do a 2nd rip to MP3.
Converting FLAC to MP3 - If I need to convert something to MP3 that I've already ripped to FLAC but am too lazy to pull the CD to re-rip I use the Winamp method that you have discovered. Because this is a pain to remember how to reconfigure all the time, I leave Winamp configured to do the conversion, but then use MediaMonkey, VLC etc... for my audio playback needs.
My situation may be unique however in that when I am home I (almost) exclusively use my Sonos system for playback of audio, and the MediaMonkey, VLC or others are used on my work laptop for travel purposes only, so that is more of a floating mobile library. My core complete library resides on my NAS in FLAC for Sonos distribution.
Cheers,
