NAS/NAs Ripper

[CnoEvil]

Hi,

Thanks for more advice, I don't have any Apple stuff so a bit clueless about anything related to airplay, express,i thingies etc......

Had a look at squeeze box touch as many seem to use this as an option but not sure if you play through this or from your NAS via a dac ?

As per Cno's advice I have contacted Ripcaster and going down to have a look and chat as seeing things work in action may lift some of the fog.

At present the M1 Clic + NAS ripper is the easiest option to me but just too costly, if it gets much more complicated I fear I will just have some expensive dust collectors.

Thanks again for all advice, very helpful even the confusing stuff.

I think you will find that very useful, and if nothing else, you will end up a little wiser......make sure you have a good list of questions with you!

 

[Shanka]

Hi again,

I have been looking at the vortex box and would maybe fit the bill however is not sold at retail so they offered a 14 day trial but that is not practical for me at this stage so was hoping any owners or those with experience of the product could let me have their views.

I am off looking at dac/streamers this week and next week hiring a car to visit ripcaster amongst other things.
So far over the phone they have been very helpful and patient and can recommend them on their service so far.

Yesterday entered the wireless wifi world at home which is my first step and am going to have a play with an ipad over easter,this is a friend who is coming over and he wears it's the dogs ******** so will wait and see.
However I can now see the ease of use/benefits of a controller as my mobile much faster using the wiffi and managed to sync my spotify playlists on the phone which I know is kid's stuff but I do feel a bit like one learning to walk with all this stuff.

Thanks for reading and any views on vortexbox hugely appreciated,

Cheers all

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Looking at this again now and have found a LIV Zen Ripper and was wondering if anyone had knowledge/experience of this ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIV-Zen-2Tb-Vortexbox-CD-Ripping-Music-Server-NAS-Naim-Linn-Sonos-Squeezebox-/260983024598?pt=UK_Computing_Servers&hash=item3cc3ccebd6

This seems to do what I need , will work well with Sonos/SBT (still not seen SBT in action)and is cheaper than RipNas/Zoneripper.

I have decided will be through MDAC and would also play through DACMagic in my second system.

From what I have been reading in Hifi forum I should still be looking to back this up somewhere for safety.

Any views thoughts hugely appreciated as ever.

Thanks

 

[cheeseboy]

I ended up with one of these: https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/644 .

:doh:

1k for a 300 pound pc :wall:

 

[cheeseboy]

Hi, Looking at this again now and have found a LIV Zen Ripper and was wondering if anyone had knowledge/experience of this ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIV-Zen-2Tb-Vortexbox-CD-Ripping-Music-Server-NAS-Naim-Linn-Sonos-Squeezebox-/260983024598?pt=UK_Computing_Servers&hash=item3cc3ccebd6[/quote]

looks like it's using a Intel DN2800MT Mini-ITX Motherboard which is about 80quid, so again, could probably build something yourself cheaper than what they are charging, and you could get whatever case you fancied for it.

 

[bigboss]

Check this:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/computer-based-music/best-way-to-approach-great-quality-digital-music-set-up

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/computer-based-music/vortexbox-appliance-is-a-great-machine-for-ripping-storing-and-playing-fl

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/computer-based-music/help-with-dragging-me-into-the-21st-century-plz

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Thanks Big Boss have also been looking at vortex box as I may have mentioned previously, being a total luddite in this area I was not able to get much support from them.

They did say I could have it on 14 day trial to be honest but was worried I might do something to it to invalidate the return !!

The LIV box is located very near to me and was hoping of more support if I had problems.

Out of curiousity did you get one of these, how did you find it ? (should have checked your sig, sorry !)

 

[Julian_b]

Hi Shankar
If you are interested in the Vortexbox Appliance - check out Amazon.co.uk too - when I purchased it it was £300 for a 2 TB machine so fair bit cheaper than the LIV version you mention.
I recently purchased a SBT which found the Vortexbox easily via wifi and you can use the Squeezebox server which is already loaded on the Vortexbox. It is so easy....I use that in the lounge through Audio Engine A5 active speakers....not the best speakers but works OK and my main listening area set up suggests I can get so much more when carry out my next upgrade.
I play the Vortexbox directly through my Yamaha RX V3067 AV's Dac's in main listening area through Monitor Audio Apex speakers - again ....very easy using the Yamaha App or ofcourse you could use an SBT or Sonos. Terrific sound from FLAC files.

Hope that helps.......

 

[CnoEvil]

I ended up with one of these: https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/644 .

:doh:

1k for a 300 pound pc :wall:

Thank you for taking the time to join the forum just to tell me I'm an idiot (which I already know btw).

I chose the RipNas for the reasons described at the start of the thread, where a pc would not have met my needs. The only two options that I was aware of at the time (and did what I wanted), were the RipNas and the AVA RS3, and the RipNas was better. I was unaware of the Vortexbox, or I may have gone with that.....now if I was blessed with your obvious expertise, I might have done different.

 

[cheeseboy]

I ended up with one of these: https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/644 .

:doh:

1k for a 300 pound pc :wall:

Thank you for taking the time to join the forum just to tell me I'm an idiot (which I already know btw). I chose the RipNas for the reasons described at the start of the thread, where a pc would not have met my needs. The only two options that I was aware of at the time (and did what I wanted), were the RipNas and the AVA RS3, and the RipNas was better. I was unaware of the Vortexbox, or I may have gone with that.....now if I was blessed with your obvious expertise, I might have done different.

apologies, was not meant directly, was meant as an outloud thing - somethings are hard to put through on messageboards...

I wasn't aware there was such a demand for these devices, and evenmoreso companies taking off the shelf parts and sticking a very hefty mark up on them. Also just seen this... http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/SOtM-sMS-1000-Audiophile-Music-Server-with-USB-output-sMS-1000u.htm - :OOOOO $2,499 for what is essentially another 300 pound computer.

I could stick together a quick buyers guide if anybody is interested in putting these things together themselves? - then you just need the vortexbox software download which is free iirc as it's all gpl software, so they can't chage for it, then you can save yourselves (or make yourselves ) some cash...

 

[bigboss]

Out of curiousity did you get one of these, how did you find it ? (should have checked your sig, sorry !)

I was considering one of these, but I thought that a Synology or QNAP NAS will better serve my needs. I was waiting for WD Red HDD which was released last week but now can see that Amazon has hiked the price of both Synology & QNAP :wall:

But I'm in no hurry. I have a WD My Book World Edition 1TB NAS which is serving my needs currently. I'll wait for prices to come down, or an offer to crop up.

 

[CnoEvil]

apologies, was not meant directly, was meant as an outloud thing - somethings are hard to put through on messageboards...

No worries.

It is easy to forget that there is a whole generation of us luddites, who are technophobic and are generally bemused by all this digital gubbins. We just want to "post" our CD into a slot, and have the miracle of ripping taken out of our inept hands.

There is also the fact that it is easier to get a ticket for the Men's 100m at the Olympics, than get access to a computer in my house!

Cno

 

[bigboss]

I can see that Vortex Box is now available direct from the manufacturer, & also offers SSD options!

http://www.vortexbox.co.uk/storepage317971.aspx

Now I'm even more confused! :?

 

[theo12]

Big Boss,

Although I am not going to get a vortex box, because I am going to build a PC next month, the SSD version of one of these does look mighty tempting.

As I understand it even low level SSD's are 3 times faster than a normal hard drive, so consider this, the functionality available through the software on the VB is really friendly with devices you already own and you could add another SSD in the future, when prices fall and have more than enough space for your entire collection.

Although I will not buy an SSD for mass storage now, as soon as the >1TB versions are available at reasonable prices, I will consider external storage pointless.

BTW the PC build is going to be Z77 motherboard with 128gb SSD vertex 4 and an I5 3570K, I am sure that little lot will keep me happy for some time, I only need another 1tb hard drive as I want to move alot of DVD's to hard drive then wait for SSD mass storage to get cheap enough then bob's your uncle.

I think an SSD version of the vortex is right up your street, just needs consideration over the cost.

Hope it works out well for you

 

[cheeseboy]

For those wanting a cheaper off the shelf option - these look to be an absolute bargain at the moment -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-IdeaCentre-Desktop-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B007175KRI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342680766&sr=8-2

Based on the same motherboard that all the vortex boxes uses, including a Blu Ray drive all for 369.99

Then all you need is some ripping software, or you can install the vortex box operating system and bobs your uncle. although if you keep it with windows 7 you could rip your blu rays as well

 

[Julian_b]

cheesboy - good suggestion but depending on what storage you need - the Vortexbox has a lot lot storage at 2 TB therefore more and for less money. If you are getting into bluray ripping than storage moves to a totally different TB level when you are considering 25-30 GB per title......

Even just storing my DVD's and CD's my 2 TB's of storage is maxing out.

 

[cheeseboy]

cheesboy - good suggestion but depending on what storage you need - the Vortexbox has a lot lot storage at 2 TB therefore more and for less money. If you are getting into bluray ripping than storage moves to a totally different TB level when you are considering 25-30 GB per title...... Even just storing my DVD's and CD's my 2 TB's of storage is maxing out.

good point. Should be able to change the hard drive in it easy peasy though But then I do like to take things apart

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Been away so thanks for all replies etc......

Big Boss, what is SSD ?

I am sort of with you on the NAS option but my fear which Cno concurred with is that I have a fear of having a box in the corner if I find it too complicated, one pop up screen can totally do my head in !!

The vortex box with a back up seems a good option, did anyone have any views on the LIV box or is the Vortex box very straight forward, it seems to be from what I see.

Thanks for the suggestion of building my own but I somehow can't see that happening in my lifetime, I only like technology that I don't have to think about, I can manage to type ok now so there is some progress, who knows !

A bit off topic but does anyone know where I can get a demo of SBT in London, I was going to get to Ripcaster but that probably means hiring a car which I would need to combine with other visits in that area and I can't see that happening for a couple of months.

Thanks for all views , comments, advice as ever hugely appreciated.

 

[Shanka]

Is the Vortexbox from Amazon or ebay the same as the vortexbox from vortex box, they look different ?

Do I have to get my coat....again !!

 

[bigboss]

Big Boss, what is SSD ?

SSD is solid state drive. Unlike the traditional hard drive used for NAS, it has no moving parts.

http://tablet.pcmag.com/?ref=297758&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcmag.com%2Farticle2%2F0%2C2817%2C2404260%2C00.asp

 

[michael hoy]

Is the Vortexbox from Amazon or ebay the same as the vortexbox from vortex box, they look different ?

Do I have to get my coat....again !!

I have had a quick look, and I would say the ebay Vortexbox that looks like a standard Vortexbox / PC is not an official "Vortexbox", but a PC built by that person and has Vortexbox installed.

The LIV Zen, states "LIV Technology Concepts is an official VortexBox partner in the UK with in-house expertise and direct support from VortexBox so you can be sure your system will always have the best support."

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

As stated in earlier post the fact the LIV box people are close to me may help in the support I can get.

I am going to contact them and see if I can visit them to see it in action, if I'm lucky may get to see how it works with SBT.

It does say it only has usb output and if I want coax output to use a v link, would this be required if I was running it through a dac ?
Also through SBT, I'm still not sure how this works, if I went Sonos route I guess it would not be an issue, maybe it isn't ?

 

[cheeseboy]

Is the Vortexbox from Amazon or ebay the same as the vortexbox from vortex box, they look different ?

Do I have to get my coat....again !!

Both and none

Vortexbox is actually the software - it's a version of linux with all the software you need to rip cd's/dvd's to store to the local computer or NAS drive.

http://vortexbox.org/content/134-About-VortexBox

All of this is free open source software, so at no point should you ever be charged for the software itself (this is the really important bit) VortexBox don't develop the software themselves by the looks of things, they look after what is known as the distribution.

The idea being is that you can load this software on to most computers and have yourself a vortex box for free effectively.

The people who made this distribution have teamed up with people like Small Green Computer to supply computers with the VortexBox software already installed. This is what most people would see as an "official" vortexbox.

However, it's worth noting that small green computer generally take off the shelf components and put a very large mark up on them!

The Liv box is actually pretty well priced for what it is. If I was to build one to the same spec (including the same case) I would probably save about 50-100 quid depending on options, so if you are not technically minded then it's a good option.

hope this helps.

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Just a quick update for anyone interested, today there has been a break in the clouds.

I spoke to LIV who couldn't demo the box but gave me the details of a small Naim dealer who has one, he has his office less than a minutes drive away and said he might even bring it here so I can try before I buy and still get the support from LIV, Result !!

They say the system will work better with SBT and the poor guy has been trying to answer my emails which he has done over and beyond and we will talk tomorrow so as we can try and work out the way forward.

So on the service side LIV have been excellent so far which gives me great confidence if I go ahead with their ripper, I feel I now just have to work out how to configure the system to feed both hifi's, I understand sonos but am still trying to work out the SBT route but may be clear tomorrow.

It's my 50th this weekend so I might treat myself to some strange boxes, if I get confused I will just get drunk again.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Shanka]

OOps, forgot to ask, do NAS' support spotify, I thought that would be done via SBT or Sonos, maybe a stupid question but what else would you expect.

Thanks again