I may be wrong, but I think he meant using a proper CD setup for the ripping process will produce superior sound in the created files ... ?

He mentions balanced inputs. That's analog. I hope he's not ripping via an analog connection.

Funny, I though he meant an AES/EBU balanced digital connection, but you certainly could be correct. Maybe he'll enlighten us.

Imahawki, I figured my point #4 would draw the ire of some. Thanks too Moderator for chiming in. The ripping I’m speaking of is performed on the computer. That would be entirely digital, no? The balanced input I’m speaking of would be from CD player to amp or preamp. Yes, that is analog.

Imahawki, the article you reference is from 2009 and the experience of one individual. He goes on to state “The most likely explanation is that hard drives deliver a bitstream with greater timing precision (lower jitter).” He nearly concludes “This suggests that jitter is, indeed, the explanation for why hard-disk drives sound better than optical discs.” I have seen ample material on the web that dispel the notion of timing and jitter. There is also ample material that dispels the notion of humans in blind testing being able to discern the difference between 16 bit PCM, 24 bit PCM and DSD. He leaves some wiggle room too mind you a.k.a "most likely" and "suggests". No where does he set anything is stone.

Further reading of the comments beneath his post appear to show some disagreement, even if only in-so-far as certain individuals believe the CD player “sounds better”. One goes so far as to write converting MP3 to WAV and then burning to CD sounds best.

So as to not create any “ill will” among us GET lovers, please allow me to edit my quote from:

“A proper CD setup using balanced inputs will produce superior quality sound”
To:

“A proper CD setup using balanced inputs will produce superior quality sound, in my opinion.”

Regarding the discussion about playing computer digital files versus playing CDs: What a person hears when comparing the two mediums will certainly be influenced by the quality of the gear involved - possibly also by the types of music being played.

In my case, I am pleased with the sound of my Peachtree Audio DAC-it. I m currently listening to classical music being played from my CDs through the DAC-iT from a couple of my Sony CD/DVD Changers. This approach allows me to enjoy my DAC-iT while I am busy ripping my CD collection into my computer.

When ripping is done (assuming I am still alive), I will connect the DAC-iT to my computer via a USB cable and play FLAC digital files. I cannot play files from my computer while simultaneously ripping files without creating errors during the ripping process.

Hal, regarding your last question about "am I looking for pinholes": No, I am not examining each disc for pinholes before ripping. If I encounter a ripping problem with a given disc, I'll examine that disc. Likewise, if I later encounter playback problems with given files, I'll examine the disc from which the files came and re-rip as necessary.

Best,

Art

I applaud anyone willing to take on the effort to burn hundreds of disks to a hard drive. I don't have that kind of patience or time these days. I may eventually get around to it, but I enjoy playing my CDs and LPs one album at a time. It is a very deliberate ritual and part of the process of enjoying the music. In the end, regardless of your preference, and these are all mostly preferences, whatever avenue gets you to enjoying your music is the right one. Happy listening, folks!

Cheers,

T Cobe