No sound quality downside with ripping if done correctly at proper resolution.
More upside in general playing ripped files with most streamers compared to CD players that must always optically read often defective or damaged CDs in real time. Some do that much better than others. The difference is the CD is typically read in real time as the music plays whereas ripping software can take as long as needed to get a good copy of the data off the CD.
Ripping a damaged or defective CD correctly may take longer than a good quality CD as it rereads segments with read errors as needed until good, but once ripped you are good to go.
The DAC used in either case, either onboard with either CD player or streamer or separate, will then largely determine the sound quality of the source that feeds the amplifier upstream.
More upside in general playing ripped files with most streamers compared to CD players that must always optically read often defective or damaged CDs in real time. Some do that much better than others. The difference is the CD is typically read in real time as the music plays whereas ripping software can take as long as needed to get a good copy of the data off the CD.
Ripping a damaged or defective CD correctly may take longer than a good quality CD as it rereads segments with read errors as needed until good, but once ripped you are good to go.
The DAC used in either case, either onboard with either CD player or streamer or separate, will then largely determine the sound quality of the source that feeds the amplifier upstream.