I'm using Windows Media Player on a Vista laptop with the export media option on as a server and for ripping files. It comes with Windows, is lightning fast ripping (just a few minutes per CD) to loss less .wav or .wma lossless and sound quality is good so far.
I had started using EAC and FLAC and a Firefly server but ripping was too slow and I had trouble with utilizing album and artist metadata with EAC and Firefly.
I think this is a case where Microsoft currently has a practical technology edge over the open source freeware tools from what I have seen so far.
I use a Roku Soundbridge audio client now with an external MHDT Paradisea tube DAC over a wireless connection with my otherwise pure SS system and the sound is top notch so far.
I had started using EAC and FLAC and a Firefly server but ripping was too slow and I had trouble with utilizing album and artist metadata with EAC and Firefly.
I think this is a case where Microsoft currently has a practical technology edge over the open source freeware tools from what I have seen so far.
I use a Roku Soundbridge audio client now with an external MHDT Paradisea tube DAC over a wireless connection with my otherwise pure SS system and the sound is top notch so far.