[Northman]

I want to integrate the capability of playing CDs into my system and I have some basic questions. Ideally I would like to be able to do TWO things: listen to CDs and rip music files from a CD to a flash drive. (I realize I may be looking at two entirely different tasks.) I've read all the threads here on the BOT-1, including a thread from a year ago that asked the basic same question I am asking, but that thread didn't quite apply to my situation (the poster had no DAC).

Context: most of my listening is: Qobuz/flash drive > BDP2 > BDA2 > BP17 > 2B > speakers. When I want to hear CDs, I've simply been using my MacBook to rip my cds to a flash drive then to the BDP2. The BCD-3 is not an option at the moment ($). Also, I do know that the BOT-1 has been discontinued; it's still available here and there, new and used.

I'm wondering about how the sound quality compares in the following configurations:

--CD > BOT-1 > BDP2 > (flash drive storage or direct play)

--CD > mid-fi CD player (Cambridge, NAD, Marantz, eg) > BP17 (or transport > BDA2)

--CD > external Apple disc drive > MacBook (dBpoweramp or other decoder) > flash drive > BDP2

Of course, I'm keenly aware that one of these costs me nothing, one costs about $500, and the third costs up to $1400. Part of my confusion is that I've read conflicting things, both that digital reproduction is bit-perfect, lossless with any decent drive/transport AND that a good CD player/transport sounds better (putting aside DACs in this example).

Final, ignorant question: if I want to put files from a CD onto a flash drive for use on a different system, am I limited to my laptop or the BOT-1? Is there any way to rip CDs from a CD player or transport directly onto a flash drive (maybe via the BDP2?)? This is one reason I'm interested in the BOT-1, which I gather can both play CDs and rip them to a drive.

And thank you!

[unincognito]

The BOT-1 was released because we added CD Ripping/Backup support to our software for a our digital players and the company wanted a product that would match the appearance of a BDP and provide our dealers the needed accessory if asked by the customer, not necessarily to sell them something else, but to help simplify the process (assuming money was no object).  As a Bluray drive the BOT-1 is very expensive as its is a fairly ordinary drive and very similar in performance to what can be purchased from your computer shop.  The cost of the BOT-1 for the most part is due to it being a low production unit, fabricated (mostly) in North America (Ontario) with a fairly expensive enclosure. 

Just to be clear you get a BOT pretty well for one reason, you want to rip your collection using a BDP and you want the drive to match the rest of your equipment. 

You can still use an optical drive that uses a USB mass storage interface (which is basically every USB optical drive on the planet, but Apples USB Super Drive) to rip cd's using your BDP, BDA-3.14 or BP18(not that any has a BP18 yet beside James Tanner).

Hope this helps,
Chris

[alexone]

...cool info, Chris do you have any recommendations for a drive (except a BOT) ?

al.

[jobiwon]

Hey Chris,

I got a BOT-1 for similar reasons as the OP, also invested in a flash drive.   Right in the middle of ripping a bunch of CDs the BOT/Pi stops retrieving meta data.  This stopped me dead in my tracks.  I read something about the meta data source going offline.  This has been awhile now, any resolution on the horizon?

OP.   I liked having the BOT in my system.  Tidy package, works well and sounds pretty good.  I think maybe the burnt files sound a tad better but I have not put much testing into it. 

joe

[unincognito]

Hey Chris,

I got a BOT-1 for similar reasons as the OP, also invested in a flash drive.   Right in the middle of ripping a bunch of CDs the BOT/Pi stops retrieving meta data.  This stopped me dead in my tracks.  I read something about the meta data source going offline.  This has been awhile now, any resolution on the horizon?

OP.   I liked having the BOT in my system.  Tidy package, works well and sounds pretty good.  I think maybe the burnt files sound a tad better but I have not put much testing into it. 

joe

I'm pushing for Monday or tuesday to release an update that covers this problem, updates for TIDAL (nothing cool, just maintenance stuff to keep the API up to date) and a bunch of bug fixes.

Chris

[unincognito]

...cool info, Chris do you have any recommendations for a drive (except a BOT) ?

al.

A drive with it's own power supply, some drives either draw to much current or on the sorta of border of what BDP's USB port can deliver.  The industrial boards we use are pretty strict to the official 500mA limit.

Chris