I'm tired of using multiple CD changers (3 Kenwood DV-5900M and an Entre') to manage my music collection. So I started looking at the "Digital Media Players" or whatever they're called this hour.

Here is what I want:

A unit that allows me to rip my CDs to a large hard drive using FLAC or similar bit for bit copy process. Must have ethernet connection for easy transfer of MP3 files to/from unit to/from PC. A guide that can retrieve CD/MP3 info from the Internet and be edited with playlists and custom categories for sorting.

What I don't want or need:

Connections to CD/DVD players or changers. Streaming from/to any other device in my house. Movie playing ability (I have a DVD player for that).

Escient's FireBall MX-752 would be perfect except it's $6,000 for starters and has the abilities for all that multiroom and multichanger stuff I just don't need. I have searched and searched for something similar that's for music only and had absolutely zero luck. Also, I don't want a device that just streams everything from a PC.

I have about 700 CDs at this point and need room for growth. Does anyone know if such a product exists? I would appreciate any help I could get at this point.

Thank You
Bob

There are many products, just not all necessarily in one box. I have a similar collection (>700 CDs). I'm using a Windows server with a media extender, connected via gigabit ethernet. Other people use a NAS or a RAID array for their collections.

Have you looked at the Squeezebox or the Olive product line? I cannot post multiple links without having 5 posts yet. Go to SlimMedia(dot)com and Olive(dot)us

Definitely take a look at slimdevices

I am using their SS/SB3 combination and it is a superb audio only solution, including surround sound capability.

The SlimServer is open source so there is a healthy development community and it is supported on many platforms.

I can highly recommend the escient line.. I just picked up a SE-80 no video but the music streaming part is incredible.. easy to use and easy to setup... I mean real easy... works flawlesly....

I haven't tried to do any video yet, so I can't help you there... but if you are interested in just doing the music I highly recommend you look into the escient line.

R~

What I don't want or need:

Streaming from/to any other device in my house. Movie playing ability (I have a DVD player for that).

Thank You
Bob

Well that rules out the Logitech Squeezebox and/or Roku Soundbridge...That's what I was going to recommend.

By 2-cents worth, Matt

Olive Symphony looks to be almost exactly what you're after :)

Also, see Cambridge Audio Azur 640H...hope those help :p

I have approx. 750 CD's that I've ripped to Apple Lossless in iTunes on my desktop PC that I leave on all the time. I backed them up to an external USB 2.0 drive. I use Roku SoundBridges at each stereo in the house to stream the songs to the stereo as needed.

I also have some software (VisualMR) to control the Roku's installed on my laptop and desktop so I can change songs, pause, etc. even if the music is playing in another room.

And for one final trick, I have output the digital coax from one of them into my patch panel over RG-6, split it to my other stereos which have coax-input DACs in them and now I have whole house audio (same music playing on all three stereos) from one Roku that I can control from my laptop (or a pocket PC if I were so inclined).

Works perfect for me.

-AndyW

How does the squeeze box and Roku compare to apple tv? The olive looks like very high end, what does the extra cost get you? Right now I don't have any movies on itunes but mostly music, podcasts and video podcasts.

Jeff

If you are all in iTunes, I'd probably recommend the Apple product.

I personally use an old Roku Photobridge HD1000 available only on eBay and with a poor power supply design (if it dies like mine just did, there is a company in Austin that can fix and improve them), but it displays my photos, plays my music and plays HD transport files and mpg files and DVD's all off my server over the network. It's a little unstable at times, but I've got it working well enough that I'm happy with it.

I can't speak to the others.

-AndyW

Olive Symphony looks to be almost exactly what you're after :)

Also, see Cambridge Audio Azur 640H...hope those help

Thank you very much. Those are the kind of things I was looking for. Excellent! Now I just have to do some reasearch on them.

Thanks again,

Bob

Hi Bob :-)
Just noticed your location (I'm in Summit County). Happy to help...please write back and post what you've learned and how it came out. I want a similar quality solution; only I'm looking to do more than just audio (want it to store video as well). Looking for the 5100SH, but can't actually find ANYONE who has one :0