I have been a faithful user of EAC for a long time. But the more I experiment with dBpoweramp, the more I think it superior to EAC. My only wish would be the ability to extract those rare audio tracks that are placed in the pregap before Track #1 (HTOA, I guess is the term). I think I can at least detect them (more on that later).

I have read the documentation; I would like to confirm that my understanding of how ripping works with this program.

The first pass, which I assume is in a mode comparable to EAC's "burst mode" compares its CRC with the AccurateRip database. If it checks out, no re-ripping is necessary. If the track is not accurate, it makes a second pass. I assume that this second pass is for comparing CRC's (much like "test & copy" in EAC). If the CRC's match, then the rip is "Secure." If the CRC's do not match, it re-rips the track again in a mode comparable to EAC's "secure mode."

Am I correct in my assumption?

Also, one of the things that I have noticed are fields for "Start/End LBA" and "Start/End MSF." I have no idea what these fields mean. However, on most CDs that I have, the first track has a Start LBA number of 0 (zero). I inserted another CD which I knew contained a hidden track prior to the first track (HTOA, I guess is the term), and on this disc, the Start LBA number was significantly higher than 0.

I did one a search for these issues, but I have the patience of a snail when searching for things.

More or less, yes, though it doesn't re-rip the entire track when doing re-reads.

At the moment dBpowerAMP won't rip HTOA.

You've had a look at this link already?
http://www.dbpoweramp.com/secure-ripper.htm