In my experience, the ripped file is equal to or superior to the disc playback. I cannot compare to HDTracks and my comment is based primarily on multichannel tracks.
PS3 & the SACD
There's plenty of info out on the web about ripping sacd's with PS3's, but not much info on how well the process really works/sounds. In "general" terms, can anyone who's heard a PS3 rip, compare it to say an SACD played through a mid to high end player or the HDtrack version? I realize that each album and each remaster varies so I want to stress not to take this topic to the letter, just looking for a general overview/comparison/opinion of the outcome...