Redbook CD playback occurs with data streaming in real time (1X disk speed), and as result any errors must be corrected in real time on the fly. Difficult to do without audible effects. A data drive, however, reads the disk much faster (20X-30X) and the data errors can be detected by algorithms or re-reading. Due to just the mass market volume, data drives will always be much cheaper than any audio drive. I have found that redbook CDs ripped on a computer drive with dBPoweramp or similar program and played back through my Bryston BDP/BDA combo sounds better than any transport I have ever owned, in part because the source is a true digital copy of the digital data on the CD, and not subject to transport variables and real time error correction. A transport can only approach a true digital copy in real time, whereas the ripped files are true digital copies.
DVD Rippers are Cheap and CD Transports are Not -- Why?
I have owned pricey CD transports from Wadia, Theta, and Levinson and inexpensive DVD RW drives built into music servers. All are highly regarded for their ability to do the job -- the transports sound great and the severs rip bit perfect files without so much as a hiccup. How do the ripping drives do their job so well at a fraction of the cost of the expensive transports?
I ask because transports are prone to break and parts availability becomes a problem. My Wadia transport now is a very cool looking doorstop. I am toying with the idea of buying an Oppo universal player but am worried it will end up a useless brick.
Any thoughts?
I ask because transports are prone to break and parts availability becomes a problem. My Wadia transport now is a very cool looking doorstop. I am toying with the idea of buying an Oppo universal player but am worried it will end up a useless brick.
Any thoughts?