Advice: CD's to Hard Drive and Back Again


OK I'm new to computer audio (not to computers or audio).

Here's the issue: Ripping CD's to the hard drive as a backup for the CD's and then burning CD's.

What's the best method and equipment (not format, let's assume a lossless format i.e. FLAC). My thought is that the CD drives on most computers are not that great for reading and recording the information accurately onto the HD (and vise a versa). Is there an audiophile quality CD drive for computers or is there a good method to hook up an external drive for recording? Any suggestions for software (I have both Nero and Roxio)? Perhaps there's a thread I didn't find you could direct me to as well (preferably a recent one since technology marches onward rapidly)

Thanks in advice to the techno-wizards of Audiogon.
Ag insider logo xs@2xnab2
Just use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) on windows, XLD or Max on Mac. There is built in error correction options with them that will verify the ripping.

Use EAC in test and copy mode and create a cue file. Check the log to make sure there were no errors and to see if the tracks match the Accurip database. If the rip matches the Accurip database then you know it is bit perfect. I always make an sfv of the wav files before I convert them to flac.

You can also use EAC to burn disc using the cue file. You can play with the burn speed. I prefer to burn disc at a slow speed. Use a good quality disc made in Japan such as Taiyo Yuden. If the package says made in Japan it is a good quality disc.

I have found that a CDR only burner makes a better sounding disc then a DVD burner. I don't know if you can still find CDR only burners though. I like to use a drive in an external case with a good quality USB cable. I personally use a Plextor Premium in an external case that is sitting on sorbothane feet. The less errors the less error correction that is needed.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need more help.
Thanks guys, I'll show my further ignorance by continued replies/questions.

I've looked up EAC on the internet and dl'ed a copy, what about the "jitter" associated with my CD drive? Is the "timing" correct etc? Does the EAC "fix" any problems in the reading of the CD (and subsequent burning)?

I buy all my CD's and back them up to the HD.

I'm assuming that your answers indicate that using Nero or Roxio to rip a CD to the hard drive (FLAC or WAV) is not as accurate as EAC. Correct?

My brother has a CD duplicator to back up his CD's is that a better route?

In the past, as a backup method (kind-of like recording albums and then only playing the albums on "special occasions"), I've ripped CD's to the HD as WAV files and then burned those files to CD. Any problems with that approach?

Thanks again! I'm learning, but I'm slow, old, and love music.
Since there's no such thing as a dumb question let me ask, why do you need to back up your cds?
I understand backing up a hard drive because the ripping process is such a pain, but making copies of your cds on a hard drive and then making cdrs? It may be cheaper to buy an extra copy (used) of the cds you consider valuable. It would definitely be less time consuming.
Maybe I am making it sound overly complicated. It is really not. Nero or Roxio will not give you an accurate rip. There are other programs that will give you an accurate rip but EAC is probably the most popular. There is a database of signatures for most CDs. It is called the Accurip database. EAC will automatically check your rip against this database. If your rip matches in the database then you can be pretty sure it is a proper rip.

EAC will give you a better rip than any disc copy machine. If EAC finds an error on a disc. It will reread that section over and over as many times as necessary to try and resolve the error. An "on the fly" rip can not do this. There can occasionally be timing errors but not often. If there is a timing error EAC will let you know. You can then try to rerip that track. That is why it is always good to check the log and see if there were errors and if the tracks match the database.

Ripping is black and white, either the rip is accurate or it is not. It does not matter what type of drive you use to rip the disc. If the disc matches other discs in the database than you can be pretty sure it is accurate. The more discs it matches the better. Accurip will tell you how many matches there are. I use EAC and rip to wav files. I then create an sfv checksum for the wav files. I then convert the wav files to flac and store them on my hard drive. Unless you have a good rip to start with, you can't make a good copy.