[DonnieW]

If only SACD and DVD-A could be ripped and played on the SB.

Some SACD's are hydrids, with the CD layer capable of being extracted.  I know that's not what you're getting at, but at least a copy of the album itself is obtainable.  DVD-A is pretty straight forward to pull the stero track as well.  Some of it is 24-bit too, which may be playable on some devices.

[techguy]

I've been doing PC audio for years and years.  I've tried nearly every soundcard and server out there.  For me... the Transporter is the 'transport' for me.  I've got nearly 20 years worth of my CD's converted.  Unfortunately most of them were done before FLAC and it's been a pain to re-encode.  I really believe FLAC and Slim Devices are going to be BIG.

I too have been using my pc as a music and video source for several years now but have been less than happy with the results.  .Although I hear good things about the new Slim Devices Transporter I haven't had a chance to hear one yet.

I can offer another less expensive alternative as well for those wanting to move to pc digital audio.  Like Donnie here I tried several sound cards including a couple from pro companies like M-Audio and came up short on sound quality (mostly too much jitter).   

I found out about Empirical Audio (Steve Nugent is the engineer/owner) and he makes custom solutions for pc audio where he uses a superclock chip to improve on M-Audio's USB Transit and adds a new high quality power supply.  USB connection is best since nothing is installed inside the pc where noise can be a big problem.

I purchased one of his Turbo2 units recently which outputs on a coax connection into my Bryston SP1.7 processor and I can honestly say that it's the best sounding 'transport' I've heard.  It will also allow you to play your DVD's thru your favourite player program.  You can use any player software for music and video of your choice since all you install is an M-Audio driver for the unit so it looks like another sound card.

For music Steve recommends the use of a freeware program called Foobar2000 which supports all known digital audio formats and also has the advantage of supporting ASIO drivers that bypass the bad Microsoft KMIXER volume control.    I had already converted all of my 600 CD's to WMA lossless format, but with this program I can also mix in FLAC, WAV, AAC, etc and they will all work with it.

Empirical audio has a circle of his own on here if anyone wants to check it out.    Be prepared to wait to get one though as he can only make so many given that they are custom made.

Would like to hear back if anyone else has tried something like this.  D. 

[DonnieW]

I've been doing PC audio for years and years.  I've tried nearly every soundcard and server out there.  For me... the Transporter is the 'transport' for me.  I've got nearly 20 years worth of my CD's converted.  Unfortunately most of them were done before FLAC and it's been a pain to re-encode.  I really believe FLAC and Slim Devices are going to be BIG.

I too have been using my pc as a music and video source for several years now but have been less than happy with the results.  .Although I hear good things about the new Slim Devices Transporter I haven't had a chance to hear one yet.

I can offer another less expensive alternative as well for those wanting to move to pc digital audio.  Like Donnie here I tried several sound cards including a couple from pro companies like M-Audio and came up short on sound quality (mostly too much jitter).   

I found out about Empirical Audio (Steve Nugent is the engineer/owner) and he makes custom solutions for pc audio where he uses a superclock chip to improve on M-Audio's USB Transit and adds a new high quality power supply.  USB connection is best since nothing is installed inside the pc where noise can be a big problem.

I purchased one of his Turbo2 units recently which outputs on a coax connection into my Bryston SP1.7 processor and I can honestly say that it's the best sounding 'transport' I've heard.  It will also allow you to play your DVD's thru your favourite player program.  You can use any player software for music and video of your choice since all you install is an M-Audio driver for the unit so it looks like another sound card.

For music Steve recommends the use of a freeware program called Foobar2000 which supports all known digital audio formats and also has the advantage of supporting ASIO drivers that bypass the bad Microsoft KMIXER volume control.    I had already converted all of my 600 CD's to WMA lossless format, but with this program I can also mix in FLAC, WAV, AAC, etc and they will all work with it.

Empirical audio has a circle of his own on here if anyone wants to check it out.    Be prepared to wait to get one though as he can only make so many given that they are custom made.

Would like to hear back if anyone else has tried something like this.  D. 

EDIT: How rude of me (didn't immediately notice it was your first post)... WELCOME TECHGUY!!

Excellent feedback and a worthy topic.  For the sake of continuity I'd ask that our Mod create a separate thread so as not to have this one hi-jacked  .  I'd like to keep this focused on those wishing to rip their CD's and the questions about the process.

[techguy]

NP.  Haven't been on here much but I was at 1st meeting of the TAAS. 

[DonnieW]

NP.  Haven't been on here much but I was at 1st meeting of the TAAS. 

I was the guy taking photos and giving Dayglo a hard time 

Seeing you're a founding member you would have been ripe for this offer... good for me you've already ripped your CD's 

 

[techguy]

Yes, I remember.  I saw the photos after.  Nice ones!  Well, if I had only found your service about 2-3 years ago, I would have saved myself a lot of time over several weeks/months in doing the ripping! 

[DonnieW]

I've been informed there will be a delay of delivery with a 'larger' collection, one which was going to be processed late this week and early next.  Rather than try and bump up all the other ones, most of which still need time to organize, I'll offer up the slot for anyone with reasonable collections (less than 500).  Beyond that I'm completely booked until the end of the month.  To date I have processed approximately 3200 CD's FREE OF CHARGE  for TAAS members (and some future members I'm told).

Again Feb 17-22 Open for ripping. PM me for reservation/questions.

[DonnieW]

I've finally caught up and taking a break for a few days 

I've processed well over 4000 CD's, from Abba to Yusuf.  It never ceases to amaze me how multifarious some of our collections are.  Notwithstanding collections of 500+ CD's yield great selection possibilities, it's the selections themselves that are truly deserving of recognition.  I've always had tremendous respect for audiophiles who have great (read: quality not quantity) music collections, some of which are worth more than the equipment they're being played on!!  In fact, that's one of the reasons why people should digitize their collections - its a simple form of insurance. 

I'll be picking things back up next week.  PM me if you would like to reserve a spot.

[woodsyi]

That ABBA is mine.  Can you here me Fernando?   

Donnie is a treasure.  You guys at TAAS are very lucky to have him.  I was flabbergasted when Donnie offered to rip my CDs.  Of course I agreed and sent him my CDs.  I blindsided him with 1000 CDs, many of which are classical recordings that you can't find track informations.  I got word yesterday that they are done.    Man, I can't wait to get my HD back with much of my collection RIPPED.  Thank you, thank you, Donnie.   

[DonnieW]

That ABBA is mine.  Can you here me Fernando? 

So was the Raffi CD if I remember correctly 

Seriously, Woodsyi has an exceptional catalog which echoes my earlier comment about those who have both taste and respect for a wide range of music.  Having it ultra-accessible (in file format) makes it that much more compelling to 'jump around' and listen to stuff one wouldn't normally be bothered to swap CD's for.

[Goshwin]

That ABBA is mine.  Can you here me Fernando? 

Having it ultra-accessible (in file format) makes it that much more compelling to 'jump around' and listen to stuff one wouldn't normally be bothered to swap CD's for.

Damn Right, this revolutionized the way I listen to music.

Been using X-lobby and a touch tablet or pocket PC. Many of you guys go this way?

[Goshwin]

I've been doing PC audio for years and years.  I've tried nearly every soundcard and server out there.  For me... the Transporter is the 'transport' for me.  I've got nearly 20 years worth of my CD's converted.  Unfortunately most of them were done before FLAC and it's been a pain to re-encode.  I really believe FLAC and Slim Devices are going to be BIG.

I too have been using my pc as a music and video source for several years now but have been less than happy with the results.  .Although I hear good things about the new Slim Devices Transporter I haven't had a chance to hear one yet.

I can offer another less expensive alternative as well for those wanting to move to pc digital audio.  Like Donnie here I tried several sound cards including a couple from pro companies like M-Audio and came up short on sound quality (mostly too much jitter).   

I found out about Empirical Audio (Steve Nugent is the engineer/owner) and he makes custom solutions for pc audio where he uses a superclock chip to improve on M-Audio's USB Transit and adds a new high quality power supply.  USB connection is best since nothing is installed inside the pc where noise can be a big problem.

I purchased one of his Turbo2 units recently which outputs on a coax connection into my Bryston SP1.7 processor and I can honestly say that it's the best sounding 'transport' I've heard.  It will also allow you to play your DVD's thru your favourite player program.  You can use any player software for music and video of your choice since all you install is an M-Audio driver for the unit so it looks like another sound card.

I'm in the identical situation, M-audio digital to Bryston sp... So you sudgest Steve's solution? How how do you find it's perfromance and how much?

[DonnieW]

Ripping schedule is free and clear again.  Had to get some work out of the way of my hobby... y'all know how it is.

[Rafal]

Donnie,

Can I dirve up and drop you off my HD and CD collection? I think I have 100-200 of them. Can you rip them in Apple Lossless? I will want to use it with Itunes.

Cheers,

Rafal