1. A system for deriving the best fit codebook vector associated with an input vector having "r" dimensions (input vector components) comprising, in combination: (a) memory means for storing codebook vectors wherein each particular codebook vector includes precalculated error data representing the error between each possible input vector component and said each particular codebook vector, said memory means receiving said "r" input vector components; (b) sequencing means for effectuating an index search of said memory means to develop a series of n vector component error signals where each error signal represents the difference between the indexed codebook vector and the input vector; (c) comparison-selection means for comparing each presently indexed vector component error signal with the previously indexed error signal to latch the smaller-valued of minimal error signal in a latching means during the period of the said index search said comparison-selection means including: (c1) latching means for holding the said minimal valued error signal after each index search of said sequencing means and for latching the count number of that index search which corresponds to the minimal valued error signal which occurred during the search sequence.