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I am currently moving from AIFF to WAV for my most listened to tracks. The issues with meta data on WAV may be enough to push most folks off! The suggestion fritzg made (NAS) may work for your concerns. Once you rip all your CDs will you continue to use them in your conventional Hifi? Asking because I don't use a transport at all anymore. My iMac acts as my rip station (Mini for playback) with a faster external optical drive and my software - Audio Hijack, Fission, Sample Manager, Wave Editor, MusicScope, MAX and XLD. The advantages of the NAS include almost unlimited storage, ability to locate away from your listening area, all manner of RAID levels and software and devices to present tracks to your DAC. For now, the external drive route will get you going and allow you to easily migrate files in the future. Cyril

Hello Yush - Lots of great information and advice here! One of the really positive attributes of CA is the depth of knowledge present. I would encourage you to dig deep and incorporate ideas and suggestions at a pace you are comfortable with. Follow some of the senior folks like wwaldmanfan, jtwrace, jud, wgscott, superdad, audio_elf, tranz, barrows, ted_b, one and a half & sandyk. Back to your question - another thing to think about is the noise factor. I decided to go with an external enclosure from Oyen (no fan) that holds two 1TB SSDs in RAID 0. Not a ton of storage so I keep a 4TB HDD for my less listened to tracks and plug it in when I listen to that library. Cyril

Wavelength Audio Cosecant (denominator board / Amperex NOS 6GM8) with a Mojo Audio Joule II power supply and Locus Design Group Nucleus USB cable. The REGEN was a positive enhancement to my system and I will be sending my $45 for the update! Cyril

Alex - I will let Gordon know that when the Q1 update to the Cosecant is available that you have set the bar at $45! Cyril

I could not agree more! This seems to happen on changes that for me are clearly an improvement to the system. Cyril

Received my REGEN a few days ago and have had several sessions listening to familiar tracks. The REGEN is connected to the Cosecant with the solid adapter and to the Mac Mini (A+) with a Locus Design Group Nucleus. Empty Hearts, Alison Krauss (16/44.1 CD) - Heard greater distinction between the vocals and instruments. This track was more 3D with not just greater soundstage depth but space around the individual musicians - holographic. Mujaka, The Latin Jazz Trio (24/96 iTrax) - Shaker and cymbals are more vivid without being bright or shimmery - strikingly real / lifelike. The sound is more complete, more finished. Blue Railroad Train, Jorma Kaukonen (16/44.1 CD) - Very dynamic track, each instrument was distinct and in focus. The guitar is clearly heard from the dobro. The rim shots are crisp and snap at even low volumes. All Of You, The Modern Jazz Quartet (16/44.1 CD) - The triangle in the intro is so much more pure, not the annoying ringing and congestion you get with most recordings of this instrument. Lush Life, John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (16/44.1 CD) - This track has lots of room information bordering on too much. Second listening session notes indicated it sounded like the booth had been tamed a little. A little less echo and a little more sense of the space the musicians were in. Or Not To Be, Patricia Barber (16/44.1 CD) - Haunting piano on this track that now has a much more natural sounding decay - simply beautiful. Luxury Liner, Albert Lee (24/96 iTrax) - Another great iTrax download. More engaging, notes extolled the greater layering of sound. Albert’s picking is sharper with greater distinction between notes. Oh What A Night For Love, Mel Torme (16/44.1) - The REGEN helped to render Mel’s voice in an even smoother and warmer manner. This was interesting; it was like the lushness of a Mullard with the little bit better focus of an Amperex. Hopefully some of these impressions and subjective observations will make sense to folks. It is not easy to describe what we hear but the overall listening experience has definitely been enhanced. Congrats to Alex & John - value in this expensive hobby! Enough writing, wonder what Red Clay will sound like?

give up any thought of USB cables for Lent but what the heck. I have been very happy with Lee's (RIP) USB cables. I started with the Polestar and moved to the Axis and now have settled with the Nucleus.

Just heard about Lee this AM. He was a good man that shared his passion for music through his exceptional products.

This is right around $1k and would provide a pre, DAC and headphone amp to boot! Six Moons has a really comprehensive review and the biggest complaint they had was the unusual taper on the volume pot. I have seen that they now offer a more normal taper. Hope this helps...

Hey Loren: Some others have mentioned the Mackies and they get my recommendation depending on how you are listening. I now find I listen more often at my desk with my Mackies configured like nearfield headphones. Another advantage of the powered monitors is simplicity. Connect your uDAC2 directly to the speakers and you have music. You can also drive them from an iPod directly for a nice portable system. I am using a ZBox as a buffer and to give me a physical volume control. If you want a passive speaker I would take a listen to the Nola Boxers. It will not hit those deep organ notes but it will image and deliver voice and acoustic instruments like systems costing orders of magnitude more. Finally, if you want a really great value in speaker cables consider the Acoustic Zen Satori. They can be found on audiogon.com in many lengths for cheap. Spend as little as you can and buy more music!