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Need some guidance with music server and cd ripping.

I know I'm way past the times.  Just curious as to what exactly I need to convert all my CDs to a music server.  I think I find the right product/solution but then second guess myself and get confused reading into it.

At first I thought I just need to go with a box like the Bluesound Vault 2.  And that probably would be fine but then reading into it some review said it is overpriced for what it is and the cd ripper is clunky and slow.  Also that it's just faster to rip CDs using a PC and software and get better sound with a music server and DAC.

So then I look around and see ELAC Discovery Music Server.  Looks to have built in DACs and I just need external storage.  Would that be ideal?  

thanks
427cube

Showing 1 response by mahler123

mahler123
3,502 posts
 
I have owned the Vault2 for many years.  As a bargain, it is hard to beat.  Essentially you are paying about $300 each for a 
1) fast quality ripper;
2) a highly versatile streamer that handles High Rez and every streaming source conceived 
3) a 2 TB hard drive that is automatically interfacing with the other components, and
 4) a decent, if not exciting DAC.
The software program that controls everything is excellent, and this should not be taken for granted.
  Can you buy a better DAC for $300?  Doubt it.  Is $300 a bit much to pay for a 2TB HD?  Yeah, maybe, but for people who aren’t that conversant with IT, they don’t have to faff  around with formatting a HD to be compatible with the the rest of the system.  Is the ripper a bit expensive?  I think it’s pretty fast and mine out lived to Apple Optical Drives that bit the dust after a couple of hundred CDs each.  It completely blows away Bryston BOT which costs way more.  It does make the occasional ripping error, but it was no worse for me than the Apple Optical Drives running dbpoweramp or the Bryston.
  The best thing about the Bluesound is it is aimed at Audiophiles that are on a budget and aren’t IT whizzes.  It isn’t perfect, but I haven’t seen a streamer that is, including ones costing several times more
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