Ripping CD's

+1 dePoweramp great ripping software.

I use Burrrn for PC. Nice freeware that'll burn anything to disc. I still like using my old Sony ES changer, has CD text and is lots of fun. I don't think media brand matters that much, have had success with TDK, Maxell, Memorex, and Verbatim. Just get whatever one has a good deal.

@jrpnde 

CDs: I have used literally tens of thousands over the years of the Verbatim blank CDs. During that time I have had no more than 10 write failures and ZERO read failures.

Ripping/writing software/freeware: I use EAC (exact audio copy). for most of the aforementioned burns.

I have hundreds of these CDs I still play today in my Yamaha CD-S2000 and they play and sound excellent.

+1 for EAC for BOTH ripping & burning.  My experience with new discs is over 99% of new discs rip perfectly with EAC.  With used, it's still 90+%.  I mostly just rip, but over the years have probably burned over a hundred discs with no problems.

If you're hard on CDs, you may end up wanting to spend a few bucks on dbpoweramp, which uses the same ripping software but has a better interface for dealing with tricky discs.

I think it's likely the documentation is better on the paid product, but trial & error will get you there.  I rip the disc & save the cue file in the same folder.  If you move the folder, you have to change the cue file (it's a text file - Notepad comes with Windows, no idea on iOS)

I believe that any program will do for writing. CDP adjusts laser power on special training track. Reading is more difficult. Advantage of ripping program over CDP playback is, that it can go over each sector multiple times (CDP reading in real time cannot do this).

As for honesty (I try to be), you need to have one copy that paid royalties to artists’ fund (RIAA) - for home use only. Technically you can copy your CD onto Audio CD-R (that paid royalties) and sell CD.  If you use server (copy to HD) you need to have one legal copy at home (that paid royalties - like Audio CD-R).  Reel to reel was free and legal, since manufacturers of tape paid tiny amount to RIAA per foot of sold tape.