Yes. Data interpolation is commonplace when playing CDs even in expensive transports. It's part of the old redbook standard. If the player or transport needs to "fill in" missing data then you are not getting an accurate digital data stream and reconstructed analog signal.
EAC will read the disc being ripped several times if necessary to obtain the original bits. Once the WAV or FLAC file has been created, the possibility of errors during playback is quite rare. The redudancy checks built in the operating system are much more accurate than the rudimentary redbook specification. Any such errors would mean corruption in a file, however small.
The advantage of using a computer to play the ripped files is accuracy. The data stream is much more stable.
For me, there's no going back. I am only using optical discs for DVD, DVD audio and SACD. Until there's a way to rip the high-res formats...
