[al2002]

Transferring CDs one by one to a music server's HD is taking up rather too much of my time so I am considering purchasing a CD robot to automate the task.

The Primera that was reviewed over on computeraudiophile.com is too expensive for my budget so I am thinking of getting an Acronova Nimbie USB.

http://www.acronova.com/duplicator_nimbie_usb.htm

Have any forum members used this as an automated ripping robot?

Comments on durability, freedom from jamming, tech support, and construction quality would be appreciated.

TIA.

[JoshK]

Just saw this thread.  Wow, that is freaking cool!  That is something you could go in on with friends as once your done ripping a large collection, you could pass it along.   Any word about the ripping technology?  Bit perfect? 

[bfr1992t]

Most duplicators like that do not have the features we need to properly rip redbook audio. Read up on the advanced features EAC uses then check hydrogenaudio and other forums to see if the drive has been tested and known to work properly.

[al2002]

At this time, TTBOMK, the Primera is supported by dbPoweramp and G3Data rippers, while the Nimbie is only supported by G3data. I expect support for Nimbie will improve as and when the installed base gets bigger.

The G3data ripper got a good review on the computer audiophile forum. Have a look there.

Just saw this thread.  Wow, that is freaking cool!  That is something you could go in on with friends as once your done ripping a large collection, you could pass it along.   Any word about the ripping technology?  Bit perfect?

[al2002]

As far as I have been able to tell all these duplicators use standard computer DVD drives. In case of the Nimbie, I was told it is the Sony Optiarc 7240 or 7261. If you prefer another drive you can remove the stock drive and replace it with one of your choice, it's just a matter of removing a few screws. Same with the Primvera. Not sure if the warranty will be voided, though. The Sony can be easily replaced by  a real Plextor if  you have one.

The problem is that the basic ripping software needs to be extended to allow for automatic changing of the disc and this additional driver  support for the Nimbie exists only in G3data ripper at this time.

Most duplicators like that do not have the features we need to properly rip redbook audio. Read up on the advanced features EAC uses then check hydrogenaudio and other forums to see if the drive has been tested and known to work properly.

I have used EAC for many years and have tried dbpoweramp. I currently use the auto ripper built into Vortexbox (vortexbox.org). I have ripped several hundred CDs now on my VB. I did some ripping tests on discs before settling on the VB ripper and can tell you when  ripping unscratched discs all three rippers returned the same check sum. Only a very few tracks on some  scratched discs reported errors, and my reaction is so what?  I've ripped 700+ CDs to date,  have 2000+ more to rip    , so if on 700+ CDs, say a TOTAL of 10 tracks  were not bit perfect, who cares as long as they play back without glitches? I mean if VB or EAC  or dbpoweramp did not make a bit perfect rip of the Beatles original recording of of 'Love Me Do' but the rip plays well from my server, am I going to sit down and spend a zillion hours trying to get a bit perfect copy or get a another copy of the CD? Not bloody likely  .

To sum up, IME most quality rippers, i.e. the big names,  produce bit perfect copies from unscratched CD almost everytime. If the odd CD here or there returns checksum errors I play the track to see if any audible dropouts/clicks/pops exist. If not, I ignore the errors and move on to the next  disk.

I take the pragmatic approach; sometimes I think audiophiles are too obsessive about second or third order effects to the detriment of their listening pleasure  .

[madhugh]

I got my Nimbie USB, the Plus version for Blu-ray with USB 3.0. I have been using it to rip my music and movie collections, it's a neat device.

dpPoweramp now works with Nimbie (http://www.dbpoweramp.com/batch-ripper.htm)