CD vs FLAC stored on flash drive vs streaming

At least with my system, I've found that the original source material largely rules.

Most of CDPs operate in real time.  For short scratches along the track (shorter than 4mm) they supply data from error correction.  For 4-8mm they interpolate lost data and above that they lose data (gaps).  Ripping is not real time process.  Computer can read each sector infinite number of times to obtain proper checksum.  I placed the limit of 200 attempts.  Theoretically ripped CDs should sound same or better than original, but for most CDs in decent condition it would be very difficult to hear the difference.  Connection to DAC or preamp is different story.  

All true. Copied CDs usually DO sound better than the mass produced originals especially on gold. I rip all CDs for convenience and with my playback setup I cannot ascertain any difference, except maybe the BluNode.

Copied CDs usually DO sound better than the mass produced originals

Sorry no they don’t, there far more error correction going on with burnt CD’s

The picture below is is of the 1’s and 0’ pits using a micron camera, and shows the
Retail Stamped Aluminum CD vs Gold layer burnt CD vs Aluminum burnt CD.
https://ibb.co/vYN4Dnc
As you can see the stamped is far better to read for lasers with minimal errors.

Cheers George

It appears that these pictures show physical burn to gold or aluminum layer. CD-Rs have  photosensitive dye - there is no physical burning.  CD-Rs can be written at speeds up to 52x.  Reading at 1x should be fine, otherwise we would have huge problem with data CD-Rs.  Even if lands are not perfect and produce some jitter it goes thru the buffer.  It is possible to output data at exact time intervals, since data stream rate is based on the same crystal clock.