Bob K has answered the original question correctly. Error correction covers up a multitude of flaws in CD copying. Yes, some copies are better than others. No, you are not guaranteed an exact copy with normal copying.
For the record, by the way, a .cda file is essentially nothing more than a .wav (44.1KHz 16bit) with additional track data.
.wav is still the "native format" and for a music CD to carry the compact disc logo, it must comply with the "Red Book" specification, part of which is that the audio files meet the spec shown.
I have an on-going debate with a co-worker. He states that whenever you make a copy of an audio CD, the fidelity or sound quality when playing back the copied CD is never as good as the sound quality of the original. I contend that digital audio is just binary code-- ones and zeros, and that there should be no difference between the original and the copied audio CD. Although I have to admit, that I have "ripped" CDA files to MP3, then burned them back to disk as CDA, and there was a very noticible difference in fidelity. But what about just copying the disk, CDA audio, as it is? Does anyone have any information relating to this issue?
Thanks for any and all advice!

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