Easies would be to buy something like the bluesound vault 2i. It has built in storage, streaming ability and DAC all in one unit. outputs in digital or analogue via RCA. NAS harder but has some advantages in larger potential size and better backup of data. also can move to any system that supports a DAC-streamer. NAS (network storage device) with built in back up. then hook to your computer. using the disc drive in your computer and ripping software load your CD's onto the NAS. this will be time consuming. https://www.dbpoweramp.com/ is a very good software system for coping your CD's. A NAS will need a computer or a streamer-DAC to use. The Bluesound Vault is stand alone one box solution and may be the easiest as you just plug the RCA output into your audio system RCA inputs. the Vault also has a disc drive built in and the software. so just slip the disc in and it copies it to the internal hard drive. . Aurender is another similar system but more expensive. I'd copy in FLAC if using the NAS or Vault. https://www.bluesound.com/products/vault-2i/ |
Hi Schubert,
Let me try to supplement glennewdick's good advice. I use a 500 gb portable hard drive plugged into my computer as my NAS. It easily holds my 750 CDs that I ripped to FLAC files, but you should research the appropriate size of the NAS. Portable hard drives are relatively inexpensive these days.
I used dbpoweramp, which I liked, and it seems to be the ripping software of choice. But free downloadable programs, such as Exact Audio Copy, also have their advocates.
I agree with glennedick that if you need to buy a streamer-dac in order to playback what's on a NAS, the Bluesound Vault may be the easiest and least-expensive solution.
It'll take you a while to rip 1500 CDs. Once you're done, donate them to your local library. Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim a tax deduction. Even without a deduction, it'd be a good thing to do. Of course, you could find a buyer for the CDs and recoup some of your costs, which would also be a good thing.
Good luck.
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The easiest and least expensive route is to cull your CD collection. Get rid of the CDs you don't actually listen to.
You should also consider a streaming service.
Transferring your collection to hard drive storage is not really hard, but it is not trivial. It's very time consuming and you will have to build in sufficient safeguards to prevent data loss. Plus, there's even a legal issue regarding whether you can dispose of ripped CDs.
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Take to local Salvation Army shop, let them deal with them
Sorted! |
Goodwill or the Salvation Army are good ideas. You must live in pretty small quarters though. I have about the same number of CDs, and 3/4s of them are on wall racks that hardly take up any space at all in my listening room. Are you being a little dramatic? |
@onhwy61 What is this "legal issue" you mentioned? I think you may have gotten some bad information. |
schubert,
The easiest, most straight forward, cost effective way, that I know is the Bluesound Vault 2i. It is a single box solution, housing a streamer, hard drive and CD ripping drive built in. Just pop in a CD and it will rip it to the hard drive. Playback can be controlled from a smartphone, tablet or laptop. If you have a local dealer, stop in and give it a spin. It's a pretty elegant solution and the sound quality is pretty good.
Ripping 1500 CDs will take some time. I highly recommend you cull them and only rip the stuff you know you will listen to again. The Vault also support streaming audio, so you could also subscribe to a streaming service and stream music to you heart's content. However, the various streaming servers have different levels of content, depending on genre/type. Some services are heavy on current pop music and lighter on classical, and vice versa. If you decide you want to stream, post another question regarding the best streaming service for your listening preference.
Good luck and enjoy..... |
I can see the appeal of devices like the Vault, but if you rip all your CD's to one and then dispose of the physical media, you need to make sure you back it up, otherwise if the Vault goes bad or its hard drive dies, all of your music is gone. From what I've read, it is possible to backup to an external hard drive, however it appears the music is stored in a proprietary format: "The ext4 storage format is the same format that the Vault uses to store your data. It will not appear on most conventional Mac and Windows PC's." You can also use the Vault as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device and have your files show up on your computer -
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/200387457-Backing-Up-Your-VaultIdeally, you should have two backups of all your important files - one on-site, and one off-site in case something happens to your home and both backup copies are lost (fire, flood, theft, etc.). I haven't ripped all of my CD's, but I've been slowly copying them all to my computer. I use foobar2000 to rip them, it has good tools for checking accuracy and a couple of lookup databases to automagically name the files. I copy the files to an external hard drive that is automatically backed up daily by SyncBack and I also send a copy to the cloud with my online backup. |
big_greg 7-23-2019
@onhwy61 What is this "legal issue" you mentioned? I think you may have gotten some bad information.
The copyright-related legal issue Onhwy61 correctly referred to, that may and arguably will come into play if CDs are copied to a hard drive or other storage medium and then are given away (for example to a library), was discussed (and debated) in a lengthy series of posts in the following thread, beginning with a post dated 6-12-2016 by member "lp2cd." https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/redbook-keeps-surprising As the saying goes, let your conscience be your guide. Regards, -- Al |
It is always necessary to backup the hard drive which is prone to failure.
I know many people who lost the photos stored in hard drive.
It took 100 hours to rip around 1000 CDs and I still have 1K more CDs to rip .
Thus it will be good idea to back it up.
I also plan to keep my CDs even if I finish ripping all of them. |
@almarg He said "dispose of", which to me means throwing away. If you make a copy of a CD and give that copy away, it is most certainly copyright infringement. I'm not an attorney, nor do I play one on the internet. I'm not sure what the law says about donating the original to a library for example, however they are sure to be up to snuff on what they can and cannot accept. Here's a good resource for general information regarding copyright as it pertains to recorded music (as well as other copyrighted material - photos, books, etc.):
https://www.riaa.com/resources-learning/about-piracy/ |
Thanks so much all . Looks like Bluesound might be my best move .Since 90% of my CD's are Classical nobody would take then and when you're over 80 you don't worry about backup, if it goes it goes .
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Salvation Army would take them , most charity shops would.
But I along with Greg interpreted your initial post as just wanting to get rid of them due to space.
So as a huge former Bluesound Vault 2 user I would have suggested that in an instant.
But that still raises an interesting question.
If your concern was truly space then once you have ripped them, well then what are you going to do with them?
Or do you have space in the loft to box up and let them gather dust like approx 90% of mine are now doing? |
schubert, Bluesound Vault 2i offers excellent value for what all it does. Ripping 1500 cd’s will take some time and above all your patience. Here is an alternative, https://www.dmp3digital.com |
"Since 90% of my CD's are Classical nobody would take them" Not so. 95% of my classical collection came from Goodwill, and I'm adding to it all of the time. They're usually in mint condition. |
Len, you are breaking my heart. The value of your collection goes well beyond the value of the actual discs. You have superb taste in music, my friend! I can't count the outstanding recommendations you have given me (mostly without knowing it) over the years. Go to a local school of music, tell them you have a treasure you would love to give to one of their better students, and know you have passed a bit of your wisdom and knowledge on to a deserving young person.
I've got about 1000 CDs. I got a couple of huge racks for storage, but I don't even own a CD player anymore. I have copied everything to a ModWright Sony HAPZ1 and all playback is through that device. Something like that could be a solution for you as well. The Sony is relatively user friendly, and used ones do come up for sale occasionally. I still keep the CDs in order to respect copyright restrictions, but many don't loose sleep over such considerations. Something similar to the Sony might be an option for you that is less drastic than resorting to a huge bonfire. |
It is a lot of work to rip your 1,500 CDs into music server.
I sent you a PM about this.
Thomas |
I would have to respectfully disagree on 1500 cds taking a long time to rip.
Or being a lot of work.
I ripped just over 2500 cds into my Vault 2 and it really did not seem too bad.
Additionally I was able to make a back up copy of the lot to another USB hard drive and my window 10 PC running JRiver was able to read and catalog them all. So does not seem to be proprietary to just Bluesound.
Also gave me ample opportunity to cull the herd!
Of course " long time" is extremely subjective! |
@uberwaltz - What is the average time it takes to rip one CD to the Vault? I tested it at my local dealer, but I've forgotten the result. Seems like it was somewhere around 10 minutes a disk. Is that in the ballpark? |
My experience is between 6 and 8 minutes for good condition discs.
Scuffed and scratched one's can take a fair bit longer as it has to read and re-read over and over.
So yea maybe 10 minutes on average taking all into account |
I agree on 10 minutes average time for one CD ripping. |
Send them to me. I'll rip them and put them on a hard drive for you. |
...OR buy CD sleeves, recycle the jewel cases and you’ll use up 75% less storage space. |
I also think the Vault 2i is a great option. I have a 2.
Try selling your CDs here after you rip them.
It would be really sweet if you could find someone local to you who could pick them up.
Might make a new friend in the process.
Best regards. |
Rather than give the CD's to The Salvation Army or Goodwill, offer them to Audiogoner's willing to pay to ship them. I'll bet there are plenty of guys who would love to acquire the fruits of your musical wisdom, schubert! |
Schubert, after burning copies please send me a general list of what you have to dispose of and what you'd like to get for them. It'd be a shame to dispose of those treasures or give them away with no recompense. I buy CD's still, and am fortunate enough to have space to keep them. I'd love to have more Classical music to add to my mostly rock and roll and jazz collection even though I'm pushing seventy myself.
Mike |
Fill me up a box of your best Jazz stuff and I'll send you a check for the shipping...:-D |
@uberwaltz @shkong78 - Thanks for the info. I'm still thinking about buying a Vault 2i.
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big_greg 7-23-2019
From what I’ve read, it is possible to backup to an external hard drive, however it appears the music is stored in a proprietary format:
"The ext4 storage format is the same format that the Vault uses to store your data. It will not appear on most conventional Mac and Windows PC’s."
You can also use the Vault as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device and have your files show up on your computer - https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/200387457-Backing-Up-Your-Vault A minor point but one that may be of interest to Vault users: Ext4 is not a proprietary format, but rather is a file system used by Linux operating system software (as opposed, for example, to the NTFS file system that is used by Windows, or the FAT32 file system that can be used by various operating systems). Presumably Ext4 is used because the Bluesound products run Linux internally. The reason I mention this is to point out that third party programs are available which can provide Windows PCs and Macs with the ability to read and write Ext4 files. Paragon Software is a leading maker of such programs: https://www.paragon-software.com/home/linuxfs-windows/ https://www.paragon-software.com/home/extfs-mac/ Regards, -- Al |
So many foolish statements made in this thread.
1) backup your data to the same disk drive if you buy a big enough disk, NAS or anything else. Sorry but this is idiotic. If your NAS fails, everything is gone. Even if you use something like a Drobo box or a RAID setup, always backup this data to another external disk. I worked with multi-million $$$ disk subsystems using RAID and you always backup to another disk.
2) legally, you can’t copy something, keep the copy, and then give the original away or sell it. You paid for 1 cd. You copy it and the sell/give the original, now you have 2 copies.
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Does anyone have experience with a CD ripping appliance that can directly store to a NAS server via a wired network connection? |
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Geez...I guess I'm a real criminal. I've been burning CD's and giving copies to friends for years without really giving it a thought. How many of us here consider that a really bad thing to do? |
Schubert, Ripping CDs doesn't have to be a tedious job. Just set up the server and when you feel like listening to something place CD in the computer and start ripping. Few minutes later first ripped track will appear in your playback program and you can start listening to whole CD without interruption (since ripping is faster than listening). That way the only difference from what you're doing right now will be placing CDs in computer instead of CDP plus few additional mouse clicks. CDs, that you listen to less often, will be ripped last, but CDs that you enjoy the most will be ripped first. Listening to them again from the server will give you a break from ripping. That way I ripped slowly similar number of CDs. The only time consuming might be finding artwork of the less common CDs.
I believe in preserving original CD. I rip into ALAC to save space (0.6TB so far), but any other lossless format is OK (batch converting formats is easy). I keep copy of my music library on two additional 1TB HD. I feel I need two copies because something might go wrong during copying (that can damage both HD) and I feel safer keeping one copy outside of the house (in case of fire, theft etc.). I update only one of them after adding 5-10 CDs. That way, in the worst case, I will have to re-rip only max 10 CDs.
Do not toss CDs - just get rid of the cases and put them in a large box.
Ripping program is another issue. You need program that will do exact copy. I use XLD (free) for MAC, but for Windows I would use EAC (Exact Audio Copy) - also free. |
You can buy CD alblums that can hold a hundred or more in plastic pockets. And just flip through the pages to find ones you want to listen to. My friend who owned a high-end audio store did this to save space! |
I had a pile of ripped stuff simply go out the virtual window when a NAS failed...I say keep your CDs or like previously mentioned just get rid of the stuff you don't listen to. Done. |
Almarg.
Interesting on the ext4 info.
As I said JRiver was able to read, catalog, play and even rip back to a cdr again my copied Bluesound Vault drive on a Windows10 PC.
And I made a USB thumb drive with selected albums from it to play on my Ayre EX8 direct from one of its USB ports which also works just fine.
I sold my Vault but still have the backed up hard drive with all the ripped CD on and still have all my original CD in boxes up in the loft.
So I am real glad JRiver could read it as saved me having to rip them all again. |
@Uberwaltz, thanks for providing that info.
And I made a USB thumb drive with selected albums from it to play on my Ayre EX8 direct from one of its USB ports which also works just fine.
I wouldn't count on that, though, as indicating that copying to a hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) connected to one of the Vault's USB ports would work. Chances are the thumb drive was formatted with the FAT32 file system, which Windows, Macs, and the Linux operating system that is presumably used by the Vault can all work with. But it would likely be a different story with an HDD or SSD, that would usually be formatted in NTFS (for Windows) or APFS or its predecessor HFS+ (for Macs). As big_greg indicated, though, a Windows or Mac computer communicating with the Vault via a network (i.e., with the Vault being used as a NAS) should be able to copy its stored files, and write them to either an internal or external drive on that computer. Was that what you were doing when you copied the Vault's files using JRiver? BTW, as a point of information, many stand-alone computer-like devices run Linux. Presumably because it is free, and possibly in some cases also because it is "open source" and can be modified. Best, -- Al
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A lot of fuss about CDs that really don't take up that much room. At least I've learned about a lot of storage methods with 3 and 4 letter acronyms that I never heard of before. |
As long as they’re stored vertically 🔝 I have no comments.
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Can’t thank all you guys enough , so many intelligent answers !
I decided to go the roberjenman route, at least for now.Just ordered 5 wallets each holding 250 which will fit into my condo storage closet easily . 150 $ from Amazon .
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Almarg
Let me clarify as I must have explained poorly.
I sold the Vault a while ago.
I made a USB hdd copy of its contents.
Connected this to a Win10 PC.
JRiver was able to read, play,catalog etc everything on it.
I was then able to copy albums from this USB hdd, using JRiver through the win10 pc to another USB thumb drive.
I was able then to take said thumb drive over to my Ayre EX8 and insert unto one of its USB ports.
Using MControl ( Ayre app to control) I could read and play albums on this thumb drive through the Ayre EX8.
Hope that helps. |
@Uberwaltz, thanks for the clarification. I was misinterpreting that the thumb drive you referred to was connected to the Vault, for copying to, rather than to the Ayre, for playback.
I don’t know, of course, if the USB HDD you connected to the Vault, to which you copied the Vault’s files, was formatted in FAT32 or NTFS, but JRiver running on Windows 10 would have been able to read its contents either way.
And the Linux operating system that is presumably running in the Vault would presumably have no problem writing to a FAT32-formatted drive that is connected to one of its USB ports, regardless of whether that drive is a thumb drive or an HDD or an SSD. I’m uncertain, though, if that copying process would work if one of those drives is formatted in NTFS. The answer in that case might depend on the specific version and configuration of the Linux installation.
@Schubert, very good practical decision, and a very good suggestion by @Roberjerman!
Best,
-- Al
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one last thing to consider is, if you have an internet connection and don't want to bother coping your CD's try a Tidal or Spotify streaming service.
I was going to get a Bluesound vault but after I got Tidal I can't be bothered as most CDs I was going to copy are already there just click and play. granted you need an account and that usually runs $10-$20 a month. but it goes were you go and you only need a steamer - computer. |
Schubert.
Great idea and likely the best result.
Hopefully as you go through the process you will find some to "cull" at the same time and also find some treasures that remind you why you bought them in the first place.
Almarg.
At this stage I have no idea how the drive was formatted but it worked ... Lol.
Any of my networked devices like my pair of Chromecast Audio streamers also see the ex-Vault music hdd connected to both my win10pc and even the USB flashdive in the Ayre with the selected albums I transferred.
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At this stage I have no idea how the drive was formatted but it worked When that drive is connected to a Windows 10 computer just open the Windows File Manager, select "This PC" on the left if it isn’t already selected, then right-click on the icon or listing for that drive and select "Properties." Under the "General" tab of the box that will appear the type of file system it has been formatted with (e.g. NTFS or FAT32) will be indicated. As I mentioned, Windows, JRiver, and for that matter any other program running on Windows will have no problem seeing and working with either format. The uncertainty (or at least my uncertainty) is whether the Vault can write to an NTFS-formatted drive that is connected to one of its USB ports. Best, -- Al |
Schubert,
As you've probably figured out, it looks as though I may have misspoken when I suggested you could rip your CDs and then donate or sell the CDs. Certainly some read the copyright law as prohibiting that, although I don't know that any court has directly ruled on the issue. In any event, I apologize to you and the community for any confusion I created.
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jimcrane, As I understand it copying to special Audio-CD-R, MiniDiscs or digital tape is legal since royalties were paid on them. In that case you can sell or donate original CDs (you paid royalties twice), but copying to other media like data CD-R or HDD requires you to keep original CD (only one royalty paid). Audio CD-Rs cost more than plain data CD-Rs because of included royalties. I have to keep all my original CDs since I ripped CDs to HDD. This I found on RIAA website: Copying CDs- It’s okay to copy music onto special Audio CD-R’s, mini-discs, and digital tapes (because royalties have been paid on them) – but not for commercial purposes.
- Beyond that, there’s no legal “right” to copy the copyrighted music on a CD onto a CD-R. However, burning a copy of CD onto a CD-R, or transferring a copy onto your computer hard drive or your portable music player, won’t usually raise concerns so long as:
- The copy is made from an authorized original CD that you legitimately own
- The copy is just for your personal use. It’s not a personal use – in fact, it’s illegal – to give away the copy or lend it to others for copying.
- The owners of copyrighted music have the right to use protection technology to allow or prevent copying.
- Remember, it’s never okay to sell or make commercial use of a copy that you make.
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The Acronova Nimbie will hold 100 discs. You load it up and let it work all night ripping discs to your server while you sleep. It's the least tedious way to rip a large collection. |
