Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

**Ney** · January 02, 2008, 04:04 PM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

Why would you want a drive without cache? I can't think of a single drive that does not have cache.

**EliC** · January 02, 2008, 05:21 PM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

The preferred option, IMHO, to a drive w/o cache is a drive, like the plextors, were the cache can be disabled.

**funkyblue** · January 02, 2008, 09:09 PM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

How does dBpoweramp CD Ripper handle the cache feature of a drive?
Is it different to EAC, meaning a drive that does cache might be ok?

Lite-On LH-20A1H 20x Super AllWrite DVD±RW/RAM seems to have good C2, read into leadin/out, but also cache's audio.

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I just tried my older LiteOn SHW-1635S and did a quick test. EAC lists it as caching audio. dBpoweramp said the drive supports the feature "Clear Read Cache with FUA."

If this is the case, how reliable is dBpoweramp in testing? I thought it was only Plextor drives? Drive rips very fast in secure mode with C2 selected as well.

I'm going to grab a Lite-On LH-20A1H and do the same test. IF dBpowerable disables the cache properly (Via FUA like my current drive), we would have found the perfect drive!

**paddlefoot** · January 02, 2008, 10:12 PM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

funkyblue,

I am looking for almost the same thing. I need one that has those features, can be used with an external enclosure (USB 2.0), and Vista.

I will be ripping to separate tracks, so I may not need HTOA.

What do you think of the Plextor 760A?

**funkyblue** · January 02, 2008, 10:47 PM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

I am unsure about the PX760A. Let me get a LH-20A1H and do some more through testing. If's its cache can be disabled via FUA in dBpoweramp CD Ripper (I want to check with a couple of people after I have tested), then it will be pretty much what we want.

I'd get the PX-760A if I could, but I couldn't find it anywhere to import.

**funkyblue** · January 03, 2008, 06:20 AM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

I am just testing the Lite-On SH-20A1P. My initial testing with dBpoweramp tells me the drive can read into the leadin/out, has no cache (can use FUA command) and has C2.

Going to do some more testing and put up some screenshots. Might just be what lots of people are looking for (and cheap!). Just depends on if the cache can really be disabled and how accurate C2 is.

I have also tested the Lite-On SH-20A1S version and it does not read into the leadin/out.

My testing of these two drives gives the same results as the postings on DAE features.

Cheers

**bhoar** · January 03, 2008, 06:29 AM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

Just a side note on cache:

1. Cache is bad for ripping when rereads are needed to verify that dust, bad optics or disc damage/warping isn't causing the wrong bits to show up.

2. Disabling cache can be done in three ways:

a) Some drives use no cache when ripping audio, but this is rare and typically a "feature" of ancient (read: slow) drives.

b) Some drives include special commands (e.g. FUA) that can be used to turn off the cache for audio ripping applications.

c) In a worst case scenario where rereads are needed, knowing the size of the RAM cache on the drive allow dbpoweramp to fill the cache with other data before trying to reread the problem spots. This is slow, but effective.

3. Proper support and use of C2 error pointers can substantially reduce the amount of re-reading necessary to validate most audio data read from the CD (and this interacts with cache clearing strategies).

Summary:

1. You either want a drive that supports cache clearing (via FUA) or if not, one with the smallest cache you can find. The former is better. Be sure you set this option up correctly in dbpoweramp or you will get bad results.

2. Proper support of C2 errors makes all situations (with good cache control features or not) better, so you want a drive that properly supports C2 error pointers under dbpoweramp. Again, be sure you set this option up correctly in dbpoweramp or you will get bad results.

3. Don't expect advanced optical drive features like those above to work over a USB connection.

-brendan

**funkyblue** · January 03, 2008, 09:32 AM

Re: Finding a good drive (It's impossible)

OK, I have done more tests on the Lite-On LH20A1P DVD Drive.

I have done a CD Speed Advance DAE Test, Tested and configured the drive with EAC and dBpoweramp CD Ripper.

According to CD Speed the drive can read into the leadin/out.

Code:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offset
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 bytes (0 samples)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sequential Read Test
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Speed: 34.01 X
Data errors: 0
Sync errors: 0

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random Read Test
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Access Time:  119 ms
Data errors: 0
Sync errors: 0
Total Data Errors: 0
Total Sync Errors: 0
Quality Score: 100.0

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD Text
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drive is capable of reading CD Text information

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchannel Data
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test 1
  Track (01): 01
  Relative position (01:05.00): 01:05.00
  Absolute position (01:07.00): 01:07.00
  Index (5): 5

Test 2
  Track (17): 17
  Relative position (01:33.00): 01:33.00
  Absolute position (33:35.00): 33:35.00
  Index (1): 1

Test 3
  Track (36): 36
  Relative position (00:00.00): 00:00.00
  Absolute position (70:02.00): 70:02.00
  Index (1): 1

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lead-in
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drive can read max. 148 sectors (-00:01.73) from the Lead-in

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lead-out
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drive can read max. 6749 sectors (-01:29.74) from the Lead-out

This is also confirmed by reading the last track on the cd in EAC and dBpoweramp (without Accuraterip)

In testing with dBpoweramp, it states the drive can use FUA and has no cache.

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