Tympani --
Thanks for the information! I'll probably go with the Samsung, then. A couple questions about that, if you would indulge me (yes, I've read through the other forums, but I'm still unclear):
1. Can the SSD just sit in the BDP-3 or does it need to be mounted? Some of the available mounts look a little large (designed to accommodate two and/or larger drives).
2. Does the SSD need to be formatted on my PC before being installed in the BDP-3, or after in the BDP-3? If before, I suppose I'll need some sort of USB--SATA cable.
3. In another thread, James mentioned that he keeps his favorite music on a smaller internal drive, and his "library" on an external drive. Why would he do that? Is this necessary if the 2TB internal drive will accommodate my entire collection?
4. If I use an internal drive, what would be the preferred method of creating a backup of my collection? An external USB drive connected to the BDP-3 itself?
Any other thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I'm using a Benchmark DAC1, which I love and will probably stick with for the time being. Eventually I'll branch out and try some Hi-Rez downloads, which will force my hand.
Thanks again!
The SSD is secured internally by 4 tiny screws, and connected by an internal SATA cable. No extra caddy needed. The drive is intrinsically SATA, an external enclosure converts it to USB. Very easy install. Even if you're dead-set on using the SSD internally, buy a cheap ($8) external enclosure as mentioned above. You can do the formatting to NTFS on your computer, and keep ready access to your files for editing and organizing, until your collection is done. Then remove it from the enclosure and mount it in the BDP. Who knows, you may decide to keep it external, as I did.
Backup is crucial. I have a backup folder on my computer hard drive, and also on an external Western Digital spinning 2TB USB drive, connected to PC (can't have too many backups, you just have to remember to update all of them with any additions). Don't connect a backup drive to the BDP, it just creates another drive that has to be updated on power-up and robs the USB-bus of power.
If your drive is large enough, I see no reason to create separate drives, just organize your folders. I do use smaller flash drives for creating "demo" folders to carry around.
About the BOT-1, I don't regret getting it, as it integrates beautifully with the BDP-2 and creates great rips. I just wish it had other uses (like playing SACD dsd streams through the BDP - now
that would be something

)
Happy to take PM's if preferred.
Enjoy!