Alternative Source

[Telephono]

Thanks for the replies.

Rodney: You talk about "it" linking to Accurip to check copies - does this refer to the Squeezebox?

I'm all for speed of ripping, so I'll most certainly investigate the USB-drive option.

As an aside, is there nothing on the market (apart from a PC or Laptop) that allows me to put a CD into the machine, rip it, store it and play it back from a single box?

Thanks,

TP

[Hi-Phibian]

R2 a disc for off spring is way too generous imo.....

[handsome]

.....especially if you planning on ripping them anally...snigger snigger...

[Telephono]

That's just wrong...

[Rodney_gold]

It being the ripping program ...best out there is EAC (Exact Audio copy) which is free
www.exactaudiocopy.de
Db poweramp is also good , but you got to pay for the full featured version..use EAC
Liteon (el cheapo make ) make good audio ripping cdroms
Accurip compares your rip with others in its database ..if it complys to others , yours will be bit perfect..
You have a choice , rip at about 2-3x actual cd playing speed and get the most perfect rip you can , or rip faster and discard tracks with synch or read errors and hope your cd is in the accurip database and is good (EAC warns of errors) and rip at about 12x actual cd play speed...
Maybe use secure mode (slow) for your audiophile cds and music  you really love and use 12x speed for those "oom tossie en sy orkes speel Bels bridges treffers" - that album that includes the oh so famous "Ouma Sarie draai om , jou toonnael skeur my onderbroke" hit

[handsome]

Use EAC as it is free and accurate....or do as i did and download dbpoweramp as you can use for 30 day before paying and try and rip all your cds in that time. either way it is a long and somewhat laborious process. i did approx 500 cds in a month that included scanning the covers for artwork. dbpoweramp will actually download artwork for you but it is rather small though perfectly acceptable for i-pods and squeezebox interfaces. you just got to commit to doing it....

you havent told us what format you are ripping your cds to and what you are using to play them. With storage so cheap these days there seems little point in using mp3 or wmv files as they trade just quality for size. i use flac which compresses but without quality loss although the files are much larger than mp3 et al. if you want to go the computer route (no squeezebox) then foobar is a great player for all formats and is free as well

[Telephono]

I'll be using FLAC - I've been very impressed with the B&W downloads.

I also recently got The Beatles' remastered White album in stereo from my wife when she was in the States and then downloaded the Mono version in FLAC. (I think I've spent enough money on ass-sounding Beatles discs over the years to warrant a freebie )

No discernible difference between the two as far as SQ goes.

The music, however, is a different story altogether 

I plan on getting all the remastered albums in mono - they're that awesome!

My system is a real pick-'n-mix: 

Digital: EAD Transport and DAC
Phono: NAD 533 with Goldring 1012
Pre: Electrocompaniet Preampliwire (that was recently given an awesome-sounding overhaul by Rudi)
Power: Daan Jacobs Monos (also modded by Rudi)
Power: Steinhart 100W Monos
Speakers: Quad 22L2
Cables: Dirt cheap stuff from my local mom & pop electronics shop

[Hi-Phibian]

My box set is onpre order for the next batch but AFAIK they are not available loose and boxes are limited?

[Telephono]

'Phibian, you're right, those mono sets are scarce as hen's teeth.

I have made plans to get an in-store "demo" set through the friendly folks at Vintage Vinyl in St Louis.

I'm hitting the States for hols over Xmas and will then hopefully pick it up.

If all else fails I'll have to beg, borrow or (shudder) download .

 

[Telephono]

'Phibian,

Jo got my copy of the stereo White used - someone bought it, ripped it and then flogged it in the used bins at VV. I'm almost certian that you'll be able to find at least some of the albums pre-owned at VV - info at vintagevinyl.com - they're really incredibly helpful.


 

[Hi-Phibian]

This is now totally off topic..... The stereos are all available loose, past masters is also available loose but the individual albums for which there were mono masters are only available in a limited box set. These sold out on pre order already so the beanies at EMI must have decided that another limited run, is still limited but make hay while the sun is out. There will thus be another limited mono box set run to be released in the next week or 2.

I have paid for mine with most of my e bucks and hope Kalahari manage to do it all.

[Telephono]

I'm sure you'll come right. I hope mine's waiting for me under the Xmas tree! 
Wonder if, in a year or two, they'll release the monos singly...

[Hi-Phibian]

You aint heard the Beatles untill you have heard the mono mixes! Strange but apparently this new fangled stereo thing at the time was delegated to the lesser noob engineers, the mono mixes were the thing as they were also what got the airplay so got the top personnel....

[Telephono]

Totally agree. I was blown away by the White mono - everything's just more "there". Love it.

Apparently the earlier records benefit most - Please Please Me, Hard Day's Night, With the Beatles etc.

Can't wait to hear 'em. 

Let us know when you get your box - would love to hear your rhoughts. Perhaps give us a record-by-record rundown?