I'm trading my desktop for a laptop and I occasionally need to rip audio CDs. I've had great luck with my desktop using my trusty Plextor PX-708A in conjunction with PlexTools. This combination has ripped damaged CDs flawlessly that EAC choked on. Now that I'll be getting a laptop, I'll need an external Plextor drive like the PX-608U. I have two questions about this:

1. Does PlexTools work with external USB drives like the PX-608U? Or does it only work with internal IDE drives?

2. Does anyone know how the PX-608U performs in terms of ripping audio CDs? Should I have any reason to think that a portable drive like the 608U would perform worse than the bulkier full-size 5.25" models?

Thanks in advance.

Anyone?

A quick google shows that the PX-608U is bundled with Plextools Professional and the 30-day trial of Plextools Professional XL, at least in europe: http://www.plextor-europe.com/products/px-...?choice=PX-608U

-brendan

D'oh! I forgot that PlexTools is not bundled with the USA version. I should have checked the Europe site. Thanks.

Now if only I could find out if the 608U is any good for ripping audio...

CDFreaks review of this drive here.

I use Plextools and Plextools XL frequently with external PX drives. PX-608 is one of them.

According to the review, the drive does not provide C2 pointers. This is pretty critical for PlexTools to work effectively.

EDIT:
From the offsets, it appears to be based on an NEC chipset. The Plextors that we've grown to love are based on chipsets made by Sanyo.

I'm glad the 608U works with PlexTools, but I'm a little concerned about lacking C2 support. I may have to go with a bulkier drive after all if I want the best audio ripping. Thanks to everyone who replied.

You can use PlexTools with any drive. It doesn't mean that you're going to get the same accuracy or security while ripping a disc that is prone to producing ripping errors.

It is my understanding that the whole ripping strategy of PlexTools is predicated on C2 pointers. If I am wrong about this, I hope someone will say something.

Would it be possible for you (or someone else with a 608U) to run Nero InfoTool to find out if this drive supports C2 errors? This tool from Nero has no installer; it's just an exe you run once.