In PIPE coding, where alphabet symbols are distributed among a plurality of specialized entropy en/decoders according to their probability distribution estimate, a categorizing stage is provided where source symbols to be encoded are sub-divided into a first substream which is subject to VLC coding, and a second substream which is subject to PIPE coding. By this measure, source symbols having an appropriate symbol probability distribution, i.e. a probability distribution suitable for being efficiently coded by means of VLC coding without the deficiencies outlined above in the introductory portion of the specification of the present application, may be categorized as VLC coded symbols whereas other symbols may be treated as PIPE coded symbols and subject to PIPE coding, the coding complexity of which is higher than VLC coding, but at a better compression efficiency.