FLAC Solution

Yep, dbPoweramp & JRiver Media Center.

Poweramp is not only a good ripper, but it's great as a batch codec to codec converter.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.... ;)

EAC is free and dBPowerAmp is not. There is nothing (better) than EAC. That said, if dBPowerAmp is just (as) "good" as EAC and if it is faster, then that solution may be worth paying for. EAC is somewhat slow.

I stuck with EAC for a long time because it is supposed to the 'the best'.

After trying dBPoweramp, I wish I had done it much sooner. Sounds the same to me, and it is much much easier to get the metadata right. It uses several sources and compares information. Worth the $ for the time saved scrutinizing the frequently incorrect freedb info. Puts the cover art in for you too.

Second serious time saver was picking up an old Samsung IDE DVD-ROM to rip with.

I went with a Squeezebox Duet for playback because I preferred the Duet controller over the Sonos and I only have one zone. I havent looked into the Sony or Yamaha systems, or used an Ipod touch to control Squeezebox or Sonos.... There are so many options now it would make for a very long post.

Lcouplin; Use an external drive periodically updated in addition to RAID. If your data gets corrupted your RAID will have two copies of bad data, or no data if a power surge takes out your whole machine. I have RAID and two external drives that are disconnected unless backing up.

To answer your question; the FLAC should be identical with conversion vs. straight rip to FLAC. Do a couple test rips and converts and compare files and how it sounds.