2. digital
  3. 157447-119892

Trying to wrap my head around ripping CDs and any loss of data that occurs...

Trying to figure out how to get the 'most' data from a CD ... is there a tried and true way of getting 'all' the data from any CD ripped to a hard drive? I have several hundred CDs I ripped to a hard drive years ago - at 320k - is there a 'better' way today - to reduce any data loss?

Which software is best used for this purpose?  What hardware is required? Can I use a cheap CDR drive connected by a cheap usb cable to a PC to get the 'most' out of ripping a CD to a hard drive?  Or do I need to spend 'bucks' to get all the CD has to offer?  If so - what do I need?

Also - are digital only versions 'better' than ripping an equivalent version from a CD better? Just wondering if its worth the time to rip what I have vs just using streaming services in lieu.

Thx in advance.

lightfighter2018
Post removed 
big_greg
6,647 posts
 
I use foobar2000 to rip CDs, using FLAC, Level 0 (no compression).   It give you the option of checking the output with AccurateRip (http://www.accuraterip.com/).  

I copy them so they are available on my network for streaming after I listen to them.  I have a lot of CD's that I haven't copied from before I started doing this and probably never will due to the time involved.  If I listen to them again, then I'll rip them.

Streaming is a great option and very convenient.

in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
Lightfighter what are your priorities, better sound quality? or just convenience of managing your music or both ?
More to discover