I ripped my collection of 4000+ CDs using dB Poweramp on Windows. The program is also available for Mac. Here is why I did it this way:
- I use a high end DAP when I travel or when I listen to music when I go to bed. I wanted the files to be available when and where there is no internet.
- I will keep my CDs until I die. When I'm using my main system I prefer physical media. Call me a Troglodyte.
- dB Poweramp gives you the option of ripping to uncompressed FLAC. This is the best file format you can have because there is no compression. If I was going to spend the hundreds of hours ripping my CDs I never wanted to feel like I ripped them in a compromised format.
- If you use an external drive like a Plextor in an outboard case that can rip at very high speed it cuts your ripping time by 70% or more. It took me three years to rip my collection even using a high speed drive.
- dB Poweramp automatically fetches the meta data and puts everything together in the music folder for each album. It also checks for an accurate rip by comparing your rip against its database.
- The program also lets you add data such as categories so you can group your music if you prefer.
- You can set up your computer and drive on a small table next to your listening chair and rip CDs while listening to your system.
If you are going to get rid of your CDs after you rip them then the only reason you would need the files is if you expect to listen to them offline. Otherwise I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble.