RHurley,
A couple of comments:

1. Re bits are bits & AVS forum members:

I think it is fairly safe to say that it is possible to see measureable differences in the analog output signal of a processor - even a Meridian - that are caused by jitter or other effects linked to different physical DAC - transport interfaces. I don't think that even hard line objectivists would contest this.

What a great processor like a Meridian does is minimize jitter related differences by effectively suppressing jitter and therefore its affect on the analog output. What is debateable is whether the residual jitter differences - post effective attentuation - result in audible differences. Some insist "yes" others look at the low level of these effects and say that any differences are highly unlikely to be jitter related.

I'm not sure it is entirely fair to say that most/many AVS members would insist that there are no audible differences between processors (or players). There are so many differences between processors/players that could reasonably result in significant measureable and likely (IMHO) audible diffences - not least the different DACs and analog output stages.

2. On ripping:

I'm not sure what relevance a sound card has to ripping. Ripping typically involves the ROM drive, OS (including ROM drivers), ripping software and write media. I'm not trying to be combative just want to ensure I understand what you meant...?

FWIW, I have found that with a good clean CD (vast majority of my CDs) I can rip using ITunes and a Sony ROM drive at fairly high speed and get a perfect rip - compared to using a Plextor ROM drive with EAC + accuraterip. I guess this is not surprising given CDs CIRC encoding and a clean disk. I also doubt that the real time reading and error correction of most players is much better than most computer based ripping solutions and almost certainly not as good as what EAC etc. can achieve - especially if the disk is in less than perfect condition...But then again is this really relevant to audible quality..?

Paul.