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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 23, 2014 15:44:24 GMT -5
I installed the latest version of JRiver Media Center for Mac on my laptop. It plays fine. When I went to add a CD to the collection, though, I discovered that the disc ripping utility (that the PC version of JRiver has) is not yet functional on the Mac version...  So I've just paid an "upgrade" price for an incomplete music program. Since I do NOT want to go back to the PC version, I need a ripper for my Mac. It needs to: 1. Be able to rip CD, stereo SACD, and surround-SACD audio discs (I don't rip video) 2. Be able to access online databases (preferably multiple ones) automatically to identify & import track info for discs that I wish to rip 3. Be able to access online databases (preferably multiple ones) automatically to identify & import cover art 4. Support FLAC format and allow me to control the compression 5. Include error correction for less than perfect discs 6. Be able to convert existing WAV files (in JRiver) to FLAC format without losing track info or cover art 7. Automatically set bit-rate and depth 8. Be easy to use I don't care if the program is free or paid. I just want something that works. Suggestions, please? Thank you kindly - Boomzilla |
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Post by geebo on Jun 23, 2014 15:57:31 GMT -5
I don't think you'll find any computer/softare combo that can rip an SACD. The original PS3, if not upgraded via firmware and special software is about the only chance you have of ripping SACD. You'll only be able to get the stereo CD redbook tracks if it's a hybrid SACD.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 23, 2014 15:58:57 GMT -5
I don't think you'll find any computer/softare combo that can rip an SACD. The original PS3, if not upgraded via firmware and special software is about the only chance you have of ripping SACD. Thanks - I've learned something new! |
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Post by ribbonking on Jun 23, 2014 17:01:33 GMT -5
I am not an Apple user but the ripper I see most often recommended in the Apple world is X Lossless Decoder (XLD) Here is a link if you want to check it out. tmkk.undo.jp/xld/index_e.html |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jun 23, 2014 18:33:55 GMT -5
Given all your requirements, other than NOT go back to PC...my reco is go back to a PC. I know you didn't like one that was loaded w/bloatware, and I don't either. So, get one from Microcenter. I have 2 and they are great. Heck, even my Dell 660s I got from them is sweet. And, at $370 out the door (less now for the same model), it's hard to beat for the use you have.
Mark
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 23, 2014 20:46:13 GMT -5
I understand the recommendation Mark. What makes it a "not-so-fast" for me is ignorance (mine). Even the routine maintenance on PC is something that I've forgotten over the past 16 years of Apple use. Therefore, if anything goes wrong (and it always does), I'm dead in the water on getting it repaired. Garbulky, on the other hand, is a PC whiz, but I can hardly impose on him for continuous tech support. I also don't want to be dead-in-the-water (until I can take the PC to a repair shop).
I can do maintenance & troubleshooting on the Mac, no problem. Therefore, even though the majority of good music software is for PC, I'm probably going to keep the Mac rather than fighting the learning curve. JRiver for Mac is a significantly more immature program than JRiver for PC, so until they get up to speed in the Mac world, I'll need to (temporarily) use XLD of another ripper.
Yet another option may be to rip with the PC & then copy the files to the Mac. Since the only thing currently vexing me on the PC is the JRemote functionality (caused by an inoperative "media device" in Windoze), I could still use the parts of the PC's JRiver program that don't require playback.
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Post by saerwin on Jun 24, 2014 13:30:16 GMT -5
I have been a Mac User since they first came out and I would recommend looking at Fidelia if you are committed to FLAC files. It can import to any file type and manage flac files and sounds very good. When I went completely computer based with my music playback I stopped buying SACDs because they could not be imported and started buying HD tracks and continued buying CDs.
Over the past year I have switched back to using iTunes's for file management and playing my music with BitPerfect. iTunes does not support FLAC files but I find that BitPerfect sounds better to my ear and iTunes gives you more organizational abilities with your file management. I am using mostly Apple lossless files but also have AIFF files and a few WAV files. I recently upgraded to the Stealth DC-1 Dac and BitPerfect works very well upsampling to 32/192 and sounds fantastic. (I was having occasional stability problems with Fidelia.)
Both Fidelia and BitPerfect are available in the Mac App Store.
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Post by aztecax on Jun 24, 2014 15:40:45 GMT -5
-Yeah, SACDs are a whole 'nother ball game. Sorry.
-XLD is excellent. I use it to convert and to rip CDs. It's very accurate if you set it up right.
-I use Macs at home and work but my home machine is a "Hackintosh" and I have Windows 8.1 on there as well. So
-I use dBPoweramp ( Windows) for batch conversions (lossless->lossy for mobile purposes) as it gives you lots of options for DSP, renaming etc.
-Exact Audio Copy is an excellent ripper on Windows but offers no clear advantage over XLD on Mac.
-I use JRiver on Mac for management. Should be adding a small Windows JRMC server soon.
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Post by LuisV on Jun 24, 2014 16:03:33 GMT -5
If you can't find the appropriate software for your Mac, download VirtualBox (Free) or if you prefer to purchase, get Fusion or Parallels and spin up an XP or Windows 7 VM. You might be able to convert your existing PC into a VM and run it within one of those virtual solutions. Another option is to use Bootcamp and install Windows. This way, Windows sees the hardware directly and won't compete with OS X for resources. I've been leveraging Boootcamp on my iMac for years and haven't had any issues playing games like BF 4 with my friends that run Windows PCs.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 24, 2014 17:16:36 GMT -5
I understand the recommendation Mark. What makes it a "not-so-fast" for me is ignorance (mine). Even the routine maintenance on PC is something that I've forgotten over the past 16 years of Apple use. Therefore, if anything goes wrong (and it always does), I'm dead in the water on getting it repaired. Garbulky, on the other hand, is a PC whiz, but I can hardly impose on him for continuous tech support. I also don't want to be dead-in-the-water (until I can take the PC to a repair shop). @boom... there is your solution... if you get a PC, just bring @gar over and provide a bottle of wine (post fix) and some good music  |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 24, 2014 18:44:30 GMT -5
So when one encodes to FLAC format, is the metadata automatically stored to the music file, or does one have to add it manually? If the latter, how?
Also, I have about a hundred CDs I'd like to rip, but they're not U.S. discs. Some are European, some South American, some African, etc. The online databases (sometimes) have the track info, but about 30% of the time, I have to type it in (very tedious). The online databases also have little or none of the cover artwork. Is there a better place to look than Google images & Amazon for these exotic disc covers & track info?
Boom
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 24, 2014 19:38:34 GMT -5
The ripping software should do it automatically. If not, get other software.
Btw I'd probably rip to alac, then you can use iTunes or jrmc.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 24, 2014 19:41:04 GMT -5
Also there are apps that will do the cover art lookup against amazon and others for you.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 25, 2014 1:34:34 GMT -5
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So I've just paid an "upgrade" price for an incomplete music program.
