So, the actual 128 files are, in fact, smaller than the original 256 files, correct? If so, I don’t see any reason why the player should hold fewer songs at the lower bitrate. I’d clear it off, try to load the same 10 songs or so in 128 and 256, and then see how much space they are taking up on the player.
Somebody more knowledgeable than I am might also have something to say about potential differences between transferring in MSD (MSC) mode vs. MTP. Actually, let’s make sure you’re not using both modes interchangeably, because that could actually lead to you maybe leaving some songs on the device that were transferred in another mode, so you think there’s less space, when really, they’re just “hidden” in a sense.
I stole this from another thread:
“To make it more clear for you, if you transfer data in MTP mode, then switch to MSC mode, your files from MTP will NOT appear. If you transfer data in MSC mode, then switch to MTP mode, your files from MSC will NOT appear. It’s best to either stick with one or the other because of this.” -Nequissime