Music servers with cd ripping and usb for ext HD's ?

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stevewestern

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Anyone know anything about these things ?
Some clients of mine want a VERY SIMPLE to use way to rip their cd's, play music from an external hard drive and possibly download from itunes or wherever. I guess a 1tb HD would be plenty.
They want to connect it to a small amp/speaker box with a remote.

Any ideas what to look for on both items.
Budget is open but realistic, so how about I say in the region of £1000 or so.
Thanks for any help !
 
I did wonder where to post it...
I'm sorry if I didn't explain myself clearly Neil - They have a hard drive full of music which they would want to load onto the server as a once-only thing - I could do that as long as the server can then store the music - does that make sense ?
Connecting to itunes would be nice but they have not mentioned it and I don't think they have ever downloaded any music anyway, it was just something I thought might be good if possible..

Oh, and as always, thanks Neil !
 
you could get something like a small synology unit, that has itunes server app?

or just an external drive connected to a machine and itunes with home sharing set up.

what are they going to be using it for specifically?
 
Thanks fabs !

It is going to be used to provide music for an office by a bloke who is a total technophobe.
He wants something utterly simple, to play his cd collection without having the cd's cluttering up his office.
He also has a hard drive that contains some music recorded by a family member that he wants to be able to listen to by transferring the contents onto a server.
The fewer boxes and cables the better - he likes the look of the Sonos play 5 and the idea of something that size but with a box connected to it that can be hidden away but with a remote that allows him to choose what to play - connecting to a laptop is not an option.
 
I hope not. Its his personal office at home - some might call it his man cave and the only place he can play his music in peace..
 
Hp micro server
2 x 2tb in raid 1
Windows 7/8
DVD drive
iTunes
Asia low profile PCI-E sound card
Speakers (as much as he wants to spend)


Set iTunes to autorip when cd inserted and eject when finished.

Job done for about £600

He can then use any android or iOS device as a remote.

No monitor needed, just power and network cable, then he can use Remote Desktop to set up playlists etc.
 
Last edited:
Musicman said:
Something like this?

http://www.vortexbox.co.uk

There's also that device they advertise on the back page of Private Eye, but I can't remember its name right now
Click to expand...

That's the thing I was trying to think of - the Brennan !
That and the Vortex you have linked to look like the sort of thing - something small, smart and easy PLUS from what I have read it migt be possible to connect a hard drive and use itunes.
I'll drop them an email and see if they can advice further - thanks !

Dale_tem - your suggestion may be a good one but I think the idea of some sort of display might be more what he would want but thanks anyway.
 
Cocktail audio, easy to rip build in amp, just add a couple of speakers and your up and going.
Hard drives 1 or 2 TB.
:)
 
It would be much cheaper to home brew something, but if what you really want is ease of use, then a Sonos system plus a RipNAS (https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/644) will work beautifully. They will also run Spotify Pro and a bunch of other streaming services so you may find you don't need iTunes.

You could get an ex demo RipNAS and 2 X Play:3 for only a fraction over budget. Add more Plays as you get hooked.
 
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