New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

[Dat Ei]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Indeed, yes, I'm aware that WMP doesn't always do bitperfect copies and yes, that would be another benefit of persevering with dBpa particularly bearing in mind the quality of the audio equipment I use.

Just two points:

1.) We never know if the WMP copy is bitperfect or nearly bitperfect. We can only testify major problems which obviously reduce the audio quality (glitches, cracks etc. pp.), if we listen to the complete copy. On the other hand do we know after ripping a CD with dBpa, if a copy is bitperfect or not.

2.) Ripping errors can completely destroy your audio / listening experience, so that the Equipment itself doesn't play any role. Listening to jumps, cracks and glitches ist not a question of bad, good or superb equipment.


Dat Ei

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

We have no control over setup guide. We're just users like you. Only Spoon can edit/create an official setup guide. He tends to keep things pretty short. My advice. read, re-read, trial and error to get the outcomes your seeking, and ask specific questions here to get answers to things that you need more info on. You might prefer a more detailed guide, I might even prefer that. But my long experience with this software and forum tells me that it's not gonna happen. That said, most new users that are completely confused (and asking for better guides), figure it all out pretty quickly and within a month or two are happily ripping and tagging with no issues. There's a steep learning curve, but once through that, one rarely needs to change anything regarding their ripping steps.

p.s. Telling people in a guide that they should click on HELP buttons to learn more seems a bit too much. Seems obvious to click on "help" and ? is certainly mostly universal sign for "questions".

Fair enough, this thread is certainly part of that 'steep learning curve'. I'll keep going and I'm sure I will be a happy camper in a month or two

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Most users here do not work for Illustrate, so don't have access to the website. However, you can add suggestions to the Wishlist forum.

As a newbie, I've got my plate full with trying to learn more about dBpa so I can then progress in a more positive way. I don't have additional time/enthusiasm etc to divert into the Wishlist forum tbh. Very happy to help in this way when I've got some progress and greater knowledge under my belt. Appreciate most users here don't work for Illustrate but does someone who does work for them not keep tabs on the threads/postings? Couldn't that person notice that perhaps the same suggestions/tips/hints etc come up regularly and decide to add them to the Setup Guide?

[garym]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Thank you for another helpful suggestion, could this suggestion be added to the existing Setup Guide?

We have no control over setup guide. We're just users like you. Only Spoon can edit/create an official setup guide. He tends to keep things pretty short. My advice. read, re-read, trial and error to get the outcomes your seeking, and ask specific questions here to get answers to things that you need more info on. You might prefer a more detailed guide, I might even prefer that. But my long experience with this software and forum tells me that it's not gonna happen. That said, most new users that are completely confused (and asking for better guides), figure it all out pretty quickly and within a month or two are happily ripping and tagging with no issues. There's a steep learning curve, but once through that, one rarely needs to change anything regarding their ripping steps.

p.s. Telling people in a guide that they should click on HELP buttons to learn more seems a bit too much. Seems obvious to click on "help" and ? is certainly mostly universal sign for "questions".

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Those WMP rips will contain errors, but as Dat Ei says, you are not hearing them.

Always very happy to improve my listening experience having invested considerably in a main hi-fi system and a Headphone system. I am hoping I got unlucky by trying to rip the Arena 'Contagion' CD right at the start of my dBpa ripping experience. I've bought a new optical drive, I will be back in action shortly having put into effect all the helpful advice set out within this Thread.

[mville]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Thank you for another helpful suggestion, could this suggestion be added to the existing Setup Guide?

Most users here do not work for Illustrate, so don't have access to the website. However, you can add suggestions to the Wishlist forum.

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

One thing new users miss, is that in the program itself, on almost every page next to items are little icons with a "?" in a circle. Clicking on these will take you to related help screens that explain a lot. Be sure and do this as well to learn more.

Thank you for another helpful suggestion, could this suggestion be added to the existing Setup Guide?

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Thank you for another great suggestion, can this be one of the things added to the existing Setup Guide?

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

The only reason for this is, that WMP doesn't report problems or errors on that level and produces faulty files. Thoses errors are sometimes hearable, sometimes not. But never the less: those copies are not bitperfect an dthat is the aim of dBpa.



You better read the original postings which are the base for Paul's knwoledge.


Dat Ei

Indeed, yes, I'm aware that WMP doesn't always do bitperfect copies and yes, that would be another benefit of persevering with dBpa particularly bearing in mind the quality of the audio equipment I use. If the problems I've experienced with Arena's 'Contagion' album are occasional then I'm happy to continue and as I've already said, on that basis, I would use the existing WMP copy if the greater demands (and quality) of dBpa don't allow a particular album/tracks to rip using dBpa.
When you refer to 'original postings', are you referring to the various threads or a particular thread? I did start reading a thread Paul sent me a link to but in common with most (if not all) threads on forums they tend to wander hither & thither (not a criticism, the wanderings are often amusing) and would it not be more helpful (and much quicker for newbies) if some/all of the useful advice was included in the Setup Guide? Could the Setup Guide not be updated/amended?
I've recently read all 545 pages (when I last looked) of a thread on a piece of hi-fi equipment before auditioning it and then buying it (it arrives in 4/5 weeks time) but that involved a £1,800 purchase so I was willing to spend a lot of time reading several thousand posts. How many threads/posts is practical/reasonable for a £36 purchase of dBpa?

[garym]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Sorry, I meant this to be a reply to Paul (monsterjazzlik), not you. He has stated on 8 October that he found the manual 'quite difficult'. I read the Setup Guide but if there is perhaps not as much advice/tips/hints/suggestions in it, then they won't be there however many times you read it, as those same things are not within my new DAP's manual either. I think Paul's suggestion of trying dBpa using the Trial period is great advice but I'd already purchased it (my decision, no problem).

One thing new users miss, is that in the program itself, on almost every page next to items are little icons with a "?" in a circle. Clicking on these will take you to related help screens that explain a lot. Be sure and do this as well to learn more.

[mville]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Sorry, I meant this to be a reply to Paul (monsterjazzlik), not you. He has stated on 8 October that he found the manual 'quite difficult'.

No sorry, it is me that should apologize as I clearly didn't read your post correctly as I missed the quote completely.

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

I didn't. I said YOU found it a difficult read.

For any new product that I have no experience with, on the initial read of the manual there are always concepts and technologies that I am unfamiliar with. I think that is to be expected. I mean, if I new all about the product I wouldn't be reading the manual. So, I tend to read the manual twice to get an initial idea of what is going on, before proceeding with the product.

Sorry, I meant this to be a reply to Paul (monsterjazzlik), not you. He has stated on 8 October that he found the manual 'quite difficult'. I read the Setup Guide but if there is perhaps not as much advice/tips/hints/suggestions in it, then they won't be there however many times you read it, as those same things are not within my new DAP's manual either. I think Paul's suggestion of trying dBpa using the Trial period is great advice but I'd already purchased it (my decision, no problem).

[ChisChas]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

In CD Ripper Options >> After Ripping, make sure Display Error Log and Display Information Log are ticked. This will report the full error status for all tracks, when ripping is complete.



Go to CD Ripper Options >> Secure Settings. Does it say AccurateRip Verified under Pass 1?



OK.



Although you find the Online Help a difficult read, there are several references to the DSPs which you can add in CDRipper. The DSP tab is found bottom/centre of the main CDRipper window.



If your CD is copy protected, there will be a Copy Controlled logo somewhere on the CD case/artwork.

Ha ha, DSP's, yes I now remember the tab! I've been taking in lots of information recently (new DAP, new Chord Hugo 2 desktop amp/dac, VLC Media Player to use with dBpa, dBpa, my brain is fatigued). I'll answer your questions in order:

1. Will do, thanks
2. Yes, just checked, it defo says 'Verified under Pass 1'
3. Ok, DSP choices (3 were there) all removed/deleted).
4. I'm aware that Copy Protect was used in the past, thanks for link to Wikipedia article, no sign of this logo anywhere re Arena's 'Contagion' album (it has fully ripped to two laptops using WMP, the older laptop has an optical drive built-in, the newer one uses an external Samsung OD). The first 14 tracks have successfully ripped using dBpa, the problems happen with the last 2. Interestingly, I bought 4 The Doors CD's, none of which would rip using WMP and the older laptop. I assumed they were all Copy Protected but no sign of the logo on their cases or within the booklets. The 4 Doors CD's play fine on CD players so I will be trying them with the new Asus drive. I found an offer for all 8 Doors albums (the last 3 without Jim Morrison are terrible imho) on one of the High Res music sites and so I do have 24/96 versions on my previous DAP.

Can I thank you again for helping me, much appreciated.

[mville]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Personally I haven't experienced problems with my CD's or hybrid SACD's (single layer uber SACD's will only play in a SACD player and not in an optical drive) using a number of computers over the years with WMP but as I've already said, I bought dBpa for its much better metadata and album cover capability.

Those WMP rips will contain errors, but as Dat Ei says, you are not hearing them.

[mville]

Re: New User Experiencing Huge Time Differences in Rips

Thank you for coming out and saying you 'found the manual (Setup Guide) quite difficult), clearly I did too.

I didn't. I said YOU found it a difficult read.

For any new product that I have no experience with, on the initial read of the manual there are always concepts and technologies that I am unfamiliar with. I think that is to be expected. I mean, if I new all about the product I wouldn't be reading the manual. So, I tend to read the manual twice to get an initial idea of what is going on, before proceeding with the product.