I just rebuilt my main PC yesterday with Windows 8 Consumer Preview, and installed MC 17.0.106. I ripped some CD's using my Lite-On USB drive that worked well previously, and I'm getting about a .25-.5 second pause each 3 seconds in the ripped tracks. I ripped with Secure mode, which worked before with the same drive on Win7 + MC 16.
I just tried EAC on the same machine in "AccurateStream" mode - and it ripped fine with no gaps.
Have there been any changes recently in ripping that might contribute to this?
The only thing I haven't tried yet is my other drive - BenQ 1640. It's currently unplugged, but I could try it for comparison if needed. I have been using it with secure rip for CD's needing C2 error correction for several years.
Here's a recent log - notice there are no errors until the end of the song. You can compare track lengths here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Morrow_(album). This makes me think there's a buffer underrun each N number of sectors read that's being missed, then when it gets to the last buffer, the error is correctly returned and handled.
Secure Rip Log created at 17:18:59 Friday, March 23, 2012 - Media Center 17.0.106
Port of Morrow - The Shins >>> Drive H: SlimtypeeTAU208 1 Mode:ModeSecure Type:Auto Speed:Max
Track 1: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [The Rifle's Spiral]
00:03:28 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 2: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [Simple Song]
00:04:12 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 3: Secure rip, no re-tries. [It's Only Life]
Track 4: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [Bait and Switch]
00:03:21 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 5: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [September]
00:03:32 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 6: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [No Way Down]
00:03:14 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 7: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [For a Fool]
00:03:54 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 8: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [Fall of '82]
00:03:46 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 9: Non-secure rip, 1% of sectors needed re-reading and 1% of sectors could not be verified. [40 Mark Strasse]
00:04:37 Unreliable data after 16 re-read attempts
Track 10: Secure rip, no re-tries. [Port of Morrow]