though it will not allow me to play internet radio as this has made me think
about the music services i heard you can get online where you pay a monthly fee
and get access to a large music selection.
I use a vortexbox too, I assembled a cheap low power/low noise server for $180 with 1 TB storage (which means about 3000 CD's in lossless quality or 30,000 CD's in mp3 quality)
Vortexbox does offer support for online services and internet radio. It's a basic computer with an Operating System that you once in a while update over the internet for bug fixes and new features.
I prefer ripping CD's on a separate computer though, since it gives me more control and let's me correct problems with album art of wrong track information with ease.
And yes, you connect the vortexbox to your USB-DAC.
