Now That You've Ripped Your Entire Collection...

Although my music server sounds wonderful connected to my Audio Research DAC, the separate CD Transport that I use still sounds slightly better connected to the same DAC. Even when I swapped the inputs from optical to RCA for both. So, when I really want to listen, sometimes I'll play the CD over the Music Server. But, when I really, really want to listen, I'll play the album on my turntable, which is still better sounding than my digital set up. They all sound wonderful, but there are differences. in this order. 1) TT to phono stage to pre-amp, 2) CD Transport to DAC to pre-amp, 3 ) Music Server to DAC to pre-amp. So, in answer to your question, I think I'll keep my CDs.

enjoy

I've now finished ripping the majority of my collection -- the good stuff -- to disc.

I now know what David12 said about how ripping 20-30 discs a day gives life some meaning. ;) What do I do with all my free time, now?

Oh, sure... I could actually listen to the music, but that's so... so... passive.

Rob

I have my digital music collection on a WD4000 NAS configured in Raid5 that is then backed up to a Raid10 system via USB3. With the price of drives these days being so inexpensive Raid is the best way to store data. As for a controller failing just buy the same controller, reconnect drives in the same Order and you are back up in no time. I can also access the NAS from anywhere with the remote access SW that come free with the WD as does a domain name. Most of us here spend more on a amp then it would cost to build a Raid system.

Having had my Mac Mini go bad which is central to my music server, I have reverted to music in Itune on my Mac Book pro and also through my dac. Frankly, I might as well watch March Madness. It is so digital and flat or two dimensional. It is had to believe that I ever tolerated this. Fortunately, my vinyl sounds great although it is no where near the converience.

My insurance company will cover the full replacement cost for each CD I own if it can be sourced. I had this specifically outlined in my policy before signing. The same goes for vinyl. They will not insure 1's and 0's on SSDs and HDDs. Not yet at least.

The suggestion given to me was to buy digital from companies that offer a "redownload" policy like Apple with iTunes. Otherwise, ripped discs without the discs = nothing given theft or a disaster. Same with the data on drives, if I can't redownload, I've lost my music.