CD vs.same CD ripped to HD

Usually a ripped cd sounds better

Why is simple a stored data file has no read errors

Optical playback may  have read errors when playing 

So the ripped cd is presenting an error free data package to the dac

You may want to look at a higher end server the vault is a starter level server which doesn't offer usb which sounds better

We have different hardware, but I feel confident in saying that SQ can be better after the rip than playing from a CD drive. In my case it was an Oppo 105 going to a new DAC. After the rips, it was a USB hard drive to a desk-top running JRiver and out to the DAC. Many subsequent changes, hard drive, dlna bridge,, etc.

Add to that the convenience. I run my whole digital library from my phone.

I got tired of swapping disk, vinyl and everything else, at a get together.

I stuffed it on a DAC/server/streamer/ripper/THING. Cocktail.

I looked at the build quality of the unit. I was impressed.  You aught to hear it with a little Puffin phono stage and a Cary V12R hooked up via XLR. One of the quietest vinyl rigs I've ever heard. All with the mellow sound of EL34s. The little Puffin has some really neat features.

Couple a good server and that phono stage.. Little over 2K

The old Thoren TD124s never sounded better.

The overall quality is better, the convenience is just a snap..

When I set down for a different listen. I go back to vinyl, CDs, and tapes. That combo for the money or with or WITHOUT the phono stage makes playback and convenience well worth it.. The Cocktail comes with a MM phono stage onboard.. I'm waiting on a Decware ZP3, about 3 weeks. I'm Second from the TOP on the build list now.. Actually in testing now.. 6 months 1 week.. LONG wait..

Pick a good server, this little jewel almost bettered my hot rodded Macs.. and for an "ALL in one" kind of thing.. It was better..

Regards

I used DB Poweramp’s CD ripper.  It is very good.  I have a pretty high end DAC and CD Transport.  My transport upsamples the CD to DSD and conveys that to the DAC via either I2S or 3 BNC cables.  After I got a music server and ripped my CDs to the HD I did a live A/B comparison of the CD vs Flacc.  I can switch the inputs on the DAC back and forth.  I could not tell a difference.  I tried this with a few CDs.   I was chagrined to learn I could have saved a good sum on a transport.  Well, I still like to spin CDs sometimes although selecting music with my iPad is very seductive.