Ripping Speed? Wave Files/Sound Quality

CDs that are in good condition can be ripped at high speed without error.

Just think, data programs - which are not allowed ANY errors during the installation read - have no problem installing at high speed if the disk isn't damaged. The error correction scheme in audio CDs isn't a robust as for data, but it is still effective.

Many audio ripping programs include an error correction mode that will re-read a damaged or poorly aligned CD sector. When your drive slows down during a rip that is generally the reason.

So, just make sure error correction is turned on for your ripper (or switch to a ripper that includes it.) During simple data transfer (which is what ripping a CD to a hard drive is doing) jitter and other audiophile concerns are not an issue. (Jitter is only an issue when the conversion from digital to analog takes place.) Your only concern is an accurate read of the disk.

Thanks Mlsstl!
Yeah after i posted my concern i switched to "secure" mode ripping which is suppose to do what you mention. It slows down the ripping speed to 1/2 but i think it is worth it to make sure i achieve accurate transfer. I only had one file so far in listening back that got stuck so i think if i would have had the secure mode selected that may have corrected that for me. I had read somewhere on a PC audio forum (other then A-gon) that slower rip speeds achieve better depth and soundstage, so that was one of my questions and concerns but your information indicates otherwise. You sound knowledgeable about the process so I appreciate the input. Thank you.

My question is this: if ripping speed doesn't matter and bit-perfect copying is assured so long as you rip with error correction, then why are so many audiophiles intent on using Exact Audio Copy and why does the Nova Physics Memory Player tout its Read Until Right methodology as a key component of its great sound? Something doesn't add up.

My question is this: if ripping speed doesn't matter and bit-perfect copying is assured so long as you rip with error correction, then why are so many audiophiles intent on using Exact Audio Copy and why does the Nova Physics Memory Player tout its Read Until Right methodology as a key component of its great sound? Something doesn't add up.

Actually, it adds up just fine.

Lots of people like EAC as it puts forth more effort than most ripping programs to assure an accurate read. I've had EAC spend more than 30 minutes, an hour or more trying to rip a single regular length song. Depending on the extent of damage, portions of a CD simply may not be accurately read no matter what the effort.

My music server is based on Linux so most of my ripping is done with the CD Paranoia based system but the goal is the same. Ripping speed is simply a function of how fast the program thinks it gets an accurate read. On a disk in good condition the process is fast so there is no reason to slow it down.

Most CD players read real-time. People want to hear music when they hit the play button so the amount of memory buffering available is nominal. Note that real time playing is inherently a 1X speed. (Not many people want to hear Pavarotti sound like a chipmunk.)

You might also check into the Reed Solomon C1/C2 error correction that audio CDs utilize. There is a difference between error correction that picks up correct data from another interleaved area of the disk and interpolated data if all the areas for a frame are damaged. A good start is Andy McFadden's http://www.cdrfaq.org.

Sorry, I still don't get it. Why put forth all that effort if it doesn't make any
difference? You said, "data programs - which are not allowed ANY errors
during the installation read - have no problem installing at high speed if the
disk isn't damaged. The error correction scheme in audio CDs isn't a robust as
for data, but it is still effective."

I've been trying to figure out to burn CDs with quality equal to the original.
Some people say you need a program like EAC, but I can't believe that is the key
to it.