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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
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,172 posts
 
DB Poweramp is one of the best very reasonably priced programs for ripping CDs ,converting say from Apple to Flac files, DSD files 
even Blu movies , itis a great program.
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
+1 re dbpoweramp. Excellent program that's easy too use. I'm also a fan of Roon and use BlueSound Node 2i units in my secondary music systems. 
celtic66
1,668 posts
 
Went through all of this 3 years ago with many of the same questions and confusion.  The aforementioned Bluesound is valid.  I’ve a friend who has been running one for 3 years without issue.

I went with a Naim UnitiServe and did not look back.  One box 2TB hard drive solution except for DAC.  You would need an external DAC.
big_greg
6,646 posts
 
Foobar 2000 and an external hard drive which I make available on my network. 

Foobar is free, maybe $100 for a good 2TB drive and external enclosure (make sure it has a fan!).  Get a second one for backup and use a free tool like syncback or synctoy or something similar.  I recommend backing up to the cloud also.
soix
9,571 posts
 
If I were you I’d strongly consider the Innuos Mini Mk.3 as it does everything (rip CSs, stream, DAC, easy-to-use and intuitive software), it does all these things very well and is supremely easy to use out of the box. Unlike Bluesound, Innuos makes MUCH more expensive streamers/servers (Zen and Zenith), and the Mini benefits from the trickle-down technology and expertise. It’s priced ($1250) similarly to the Vault 2i, but I’ll take the higher pedigree of the Mini. Plus you can add the linear power supply later and up the sound quality further if you want, especially if you’re using the Mini’s internal DAC (Note, someone is selling a near-new Mini Mk.3 with the $700 power supply on US Audio Mart for $1550, so about $400 savings over buying both new just FYI). Darko wrote a pretty thorough review of the Mini (with and without the external power supply) that I’d recommend reading if you’d like to learn more. Hope this helps, and best of luck.
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