Hard Drive versis Flash Drive

Hello 2chnlbean,

I am familiar with RipNAS but I like more your idea of having Buffolo NAS (say Pro Duo Link 2T for about $300) and separately CD ripper. RipNas is nuch more expensive (about $1.4k) and can rip only CD's not DVD's So, I am not sure where its advantage.

I downloaed EAC and it works - I simply do not trust my old CD/DVD - read/write internal drive. I would prefer to spent $100-$200 to have newest high quality external CD/DVD drive..

Thank you
Rafael

Rafael,

I agree that the RipNAS is too pricey. It's pretty cool though. I like your idea of using the Buffalo NAS in conjunction with an external ripper. You can get an external DVD/CD drive for cheap - check out Best Buy.

If you are going to use the PS Audio PWD with integrated bridge (which is what I will be doing as well), you don't really need to worry about the quality of the storage since it doesn't have any affect on the quality of the audio. In that configuration it literally is just a file server - the bridge converts the file to digital stream for the DAC and keeps it in the optimal I2S format.

Forget about all the fancy NAS boxes with partial operating systems and integrated CD drives & ripping software - cool as they may be you can spend half the money and get twice the value with off the shelf stuff. Instead, get a simple 1TB NAS and stick it in the closet with your router. While you are at it, get a 1TB USB drive to back up all your files too - $350 will probably get you both.

Software wise, nothing beats Exact Audio Copy (EAC). If you don't like the complexity of it, then Poikosoft Easy CDDA has a much friendlier interface and has integrated many of the same secure ripping features - it will cost you about $25 I think. If you have a ton of CDs and don't mind paying for it, there are services that will rip everything for you and send you DVDs of your ripped files.

Have fun!

Hello 2chnlben,

As I understand you are investingating PWD for your use and for NAS you recommended: " Buffalo Linkstation products " as well as ..."I highly recommend ripping in flac".
Looks good, however, today I saw on PS Audio forum interesting post without reply:
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Quote {The Buffalo LinkStation Mini looks like it’ll do fine for this}

I see that this product utilizes an embedded iTunes server. Since iTunes is not compatible with flac, I assume this DNLA NAS would not work with flac files? My entire library is flac. I will not re-rip it again. Are there any DNLA NAS options that are flac compatible?

Update: I confirmed with Buffalo that the Linkstation Mini will NOT accept FLAC. I need some alternatives. Does anyone know of FLAC compatible NAS devices?
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Are you agree with this poster? ...I feel that instead of saying "does not accept FLAC" he probably meant to say that FLAC files will not be managed by iTune..... if so who cares if PWD Bridge WIL stream these files to DAC...

Thank you in advance,

Rafael

Rafael:

You are correct in your assessment. If you already have a server (i.e.: the new PWD, SB device, or other), you will only be utilizing the NAS device for storage (i.e.: an external hard drive – only linked to your network). Your server will do all of the “work” streaming your music files. As long as your server accepts flac, then you will be fine. It is true that iTunes does not support flac, but as you stated, that is a mute point since you will be relying on your existing music server to manage and stream your flac files.