specifically in a lossless format. I want the best possible sound quality. cost is of little concern. anyone?

This sounds like kind of a broad question but I'm not sure of what else or how else to ask.

Easy to make play lists.

Otherwise just hook up and iPod to an iPod-ready receiver (Pioneer Elites come with the communication cable).

whats better? what is the best way to get the digital information from a cd to a hard drive? I don't know much about sound cards/audio interfaces for computers being used as dedicated music/media servers. (without using an actual music server like a Fireball) it's in my mind to use a good outboard DAC for play black.

just how lossless is the apple lossless format?

say you wanted to use a Theta digital transport as your source device for getting the music to the HD.

You can mount it with the free version of Daemon tools. Download the free version here :
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/announcements.php

You can make the image for free with the tool <b>(XP SP2 only) </b>here
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/v2.htm

If I got the right tool you just right click on the CD in Explorer and select "Create Image from CD"

IF you want to pay some money the "pay for" version of Daemon tools should do everything for you. The images (on your hard drive) will just look like a bunch of CD drives with CDs in them.<ul><li><a href="http://www.disc-soft.com/faq#faq01">Daemon Tools Comparison</a></li></ul>

<center><img src="http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/images/CambridgeAudio_640H_Front_big.jpg"></center><p>Apple's lossless is literally without loss of information. A good sound card with a coax/optical out to your DAC should do really well.

Otherwise, try a Cambridge Azur 640H. Great performer and very popular amongst Audiophiles who like mass storage for their music.



<img src="http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/images/CambridgeAudio_640h_rear_big.jpg">

xbox360 + wmp11 or wmc.

it's a simple way to do it, obviously.

and I'm not running the entire house. I only entertain in the media room, so I'm covered.

I have a lot of experience with spdif, mp3, digital devices.

I've have SEVERAL items that can allow the digital handshake between my laptop and my digital mixing board (denon). The best of the bunch have been m-audio. I have both the fire wire audiophile, and the fast track pro, which is usb based. VERY cool gear. 200-300$

the cheaper units perform very good, afterall it's digital. soundblaster audigy external soundcard is under 100. but it's limited. so I upgraded to m-audio for gigs and run the sb at home.

the m-audio gear has up to six outputs, so you can run monitors, main outs, multi rooms for clubs, etc.

PC out usb, to the m-audio device. out spdif to your mixer or receiver, or fiber which is an option on a few, but not many. there are also analog ins/outs. mic in/out etc.

Only problem I have seen is I get occasional errors than translate to "audio popping" if I make the image at max speed with a fast CDROM drive. I just slow down the read speed.

Otherwise just make the image, mount it and play it like any other CD.

Right click, unmount, right click, mount....it isn't that bad compared to swapping CDs.

You can only install the Pro version on one computer which sucks...so I picked my HTPC.