Copies Better Than Originals?

In my experience, copies always worst than original. However, I did a blind test on few friends and many folks actually prefer non-original sound. Copies tend to have less detail in high frequency response and they might seem to have more bass than the original. I also did the MP3 test and more folks like the MP3 over the copied and the original. Since the compress ratio is different, the MP3 actually sounded more lively than the original and copied ( about 2 to 3% faster.) It's matter of preference rather than which is better.

I don't think so Jay. Maybe your friends prefer the copied version just like my friends prefer MP3 version.

I'm in the computer field and my friends are in recording and dubbing business. Believe me when we tried every possible way. You definitely loose something when it was transferred to hard drive.
However it is possible that you can "enhance" the copied version by playing with different software. Kind of like tweaking video and photos. However, if the original detail is not there then you can't tweak it. Whatever you put on is artifical.

That's a fun reading Ehider. However, since you don't own the master tape or you were live from recording studio, therefore, "details closer to the original" can not be proven in any way. The copy tend to have some information lost so that some high frequency got roll off. My system is revealing enough that we can tell that copied CD tend to sound more round but slightly dull compared to original. also definitely the lost of fine detail. On the copied CD, we can't hear the fine detail of guitarist picking on the string which produced a slight high pitch noise for less than a split second nor as the background noise from the audience clearing his throat. Also, the front to back presentation is less spacious imaging compared to original. The drum sounded more fuzzy (which added more glow) compared to original. Overall sound is more "damped" than the original.
We even verified and compared the CDs bit to bit on a computer to prove that they're identical. It looks 100% the same on computer but it doesn't sound the same.
However, we can't tell the difference when these CDs apart were played on a boom box and walkman.
Only thing I conclude is that copied CD is not at acceptable level if you have hi end and very revealing system. It's still the only good source to backup your music and it is still good if fine details are not critical.

Ehider, you're comparing LP and CD and of course they sound different. I also a big fan of vinyl system myself.
I never said you're wrong and I just said your statement is fun reading. The very first word I said is "IN MY EXPERIENCE..."
I don't understand why you felt offensive since I never accuse your fact of anything. You're the one who's being too serious and subjective about this.

However, since you're not the one who produce the CD then you can't claim that your copied version is closer to original. It might be more prefer by you but by far that you can't claim that's more close to original.
As far as damage CD goes, it is possible that a different player can pickup different readings and it might sound better from one player to the other. Therefore, yes, in this situation, it is possible that your pioneer is able to read the data more accurate than your reference CD player and make a better copy. However, if you have a good conidition CD then that's a different story. As I said before, without any "enhancement" the copied verision is not going to be better. i.e. Changing level is an enhancement.
Anyway, there is no point here to argue who's right whos wrong here. It's all preference as I said from very beginning. You can love your copy that's fine. I prefer the original. No point proven here just pure opinions. There is no real fact here.

Not sure about you but this is one of the worst pioneer player ever made according to users review. Okay, Ehider, this is not my opinion now. Most of the unit tray broke within very short time. It's hard to understand that you would defend one of the worst product made by pioneer.

http://www.audioreview.com/CD,Recorders-Players/Pioneer,PDR-W739,/PRD_124816_2740crx.aspx

Also, you're making false claims about amps, cables, and preamps. They do make a big difference if you have a poorly match system and they don't have to be super expensive. I do make my own pure silver cables for a fraction of cost of this pioneer writer (interconnect $40, speaker cable $60.) Not only they improve the sound, they also last forever.
But again, that's your opinion so no arguement there.