EAC rip doesn't sound exactly like the retail CD?

[brasarehot1]

1) I want to make sure my rip of the retail CD is an exact copy. I used this tutorial "http://blowfish.be/eac/" by xuncat; is this a good guide to follow?
I ask because it seems the retail CD sounds slightly clearer than my rip [Ex: I can hear a slightly louder and clearer vibrato w/ the retail CD].
I only made Wav files, no Flac [if I change the bit rate will this fix the problem?]
Also I put my ripped file in Audacity and saw a bunch of red lines; is this bad?

2) Is there a way to verify the rip is an exact copy [such as comparing decibel levels at certain points of the song]?
It seems to me I can't put the retail CD's .cda files into any analytical program (like Audacity); so how can I find number data for the retail CD as well as the rip?

Answer any question you'd like, Thanks!

 

[adk highlander]

For making exact copies I just use standard ripping software like Nero. I just put the disk in and say make exact copy. There is no need to rip them to WAV and then back to the CD.

 

[slipperybidness]

EAC should give you a message at the end with a status report. It will compare your rip to a known accurate rip and tell you that the rip was or wasn't accurate.

How are you doing listening tests for CD vs. rip? Are you playing the CD on your computer with the exact same software and settings as the rip? Just wondering if it is an equipment difference causing the SQ difference?

Perhaps you should try a blind test and have someone switch between the CD and rip so that you are unbiased in your opinions.

 

[its phillip]

the blowfish guide is good, but I think it's written for an older version of eac.

 

[slipperybidness]

the blowfish guide is good, but I think it's written for an older version of eac.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is written for the older version.....

I started using EAC and phillip was one of the people that pointed me in that direction. However, the guide still got me about 90% of what I needed and some minor tweaking after that.