Ripping without using an HDX

Posted by: gone on 06 May 2010

I recently purchased the vinyl version of Goldfrapp's new album, and although it's not their best, the vinyl sounds great (odd really, as it's about as digital as you can get, probably)

In the package is the CD version which I wanted to rip to the HDX, for those times when wallpaper music was required. Problem is, all the HDX would do was think about it, and then spit out the CD. Maybe it's one of those protected jobbies?

So I thought I'd try ripping it to NAS using dBPoweramp - you know, standard settings, using AccurateRip etc - and that went fine, with a calibrated drive and matched CRC.

Plays back fine on the HDX from NAS, but to be honest, it puts my ears on edge, and it's not a comfortable listen - miles away from the vinyl version. I can't explain it - all the information is there, but it's like my ears are being poked with a pin.

Lots of variables here. Is the dBPoweramp rip no good? If the HDX could have ripped it, would it be any better? Or is it simply not very nice in CD version? Or is it just a very toppy album which the vinyl rounds off? Or something I've missed?

Any thoughts? I'm trying not to open a can of worms, and spend too much of my life comparing rips from HDX, dBPoweramp, etc when, actually, the HDX is sounding rather fine with its own rips and downloaded files.

Cheers
John
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by goldfinch
Maybe the compression of the dynamic range in the CD version is too high while the vinyl mastering is less compressed?
Posted on: 08 May 2010 by spacey
It's probably not a free CD for no reason
Posted on: 08 May 2010 by gone
Anyone got a paid-for one who can comment on the sound quality?
Today, I've been mostly experimenting with different CDs and different ripping (well, apart from retail therapy). Interesting