For what it's worth, the speed offered by a USB 2 connection is should be plenty fast enough for ripping CD's. You don't want to read the CD's at blazing speeds for ripping purposes, and quality ripping software like EAC takes its time with a rip anyway, so the extra speed of USB 3 doesn't work to your advantage for ripping. You might get away with a low cost unit (heck, even a used one of funds are an issue), particularly if the unit's services won't be required once you're done ripping your collection.
