Exact Audio Copy Software

I read something somewhere that Exact Audio Copy is no longer the 'gold standard'. I've read that dbpoweramp has over-taken the top spot.?. I've used EAC for years and since I'm used to it I won't change. Has anyone else read this?

Great thread!!!

Last week I downloaded the EAC suite and last night I ripped my first CD to FLAC w/ EAC. Previously, I have ripped a few other CD tracks using my JRiver Jukebox in WAV and MP3. All the same track (The Overture from Blood Sweat and Tears' Child Is The Father to Man). On my system, these tracks sound the same in WAV and FLAC, but both are def better tahn MP3.

I need to read that EAC tutorial. Thanks for posting the link.

I also bought a CD repair and cleaning kit. I made the first rip w/ EAC w/o using the kit and, for comparison, a 2nd rip after using the kit. Def improvement using the kit. Note that most of my CDs are old and not in great condition.

See my thread. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1230454626&read&keyw&zzeac

I was never able to confirm, audibly or through bit comparing, that EAC does a better job than say, iTunes with error correction. At one point I was convinced that it sounded better, but as soon as I found there was no technical basis for that belief, the placebo effect swung the other way and I heard no difference.

According to at least one expert in USB DACs, EAC's effectiveness is more of a myth than anything. This is because unless the CD is very dirty or damage, you are generally going to end up with bit perfect files regardless of the ripper. Reading the CD is just not that difficult a task for most CD drives.

Some people however, prefer to make sure the following factors are accounted for: 1) cd drive and ripper should use "accurate stream" technology, 2) the CD drive should not buffer audio or if it does, the software should be set to compensate, 3) the CD drive should support C2 error correction.