Trying to wrap my head around ripping CDs and any loss of data that occurs...


Trying to figure out how to get the 'most' data from a CD ... is there a tried and true way of getting 'all' the data from any CD ripped to a hard drive? I have several hundred CDs I ripped to a hard drive years ago - at 320k - is there a 'better' way today - to reduce any data loss?

Which software is best used for this purpose?  What hardware is required? Can I use a cheap CDR drive connected by a cheap usb cable to a PC to get the 'most' out of ripping a CD to a hard drive?  Or do I need to spend 'bucks' to get all the CD has to offer?  If so - what do I need?

Also - are digital only versions 'better' than ripping an equivalent version from a CD better? Just wondering if its worth the time to rip what I have vs just using streaming services in lieu.

Thx in advance.

lightfighter2018

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

Depends on the format you used.  WAV, FLAC and ALAC are lossless. There are rippers that try to quadruple check that the recording was accurate, but generally it's' a lot of extra time. :)

If you ripped to MP3, then re-do it using one of the suggested formats I listed, FLAC being highly recommended.  Stay away from MP3

You don't need extra hardware, and yes, a cheap CD drive will work.  I use MediaMonkey becuase it drives me less crazy than JRiver.

The streaming services vary. Tidal and Quboz offer CD or better quality music.