Hey Dolf, Andy here! My latest plans (still being formulated!) are for:

1) RipNAS software at US$45 (auto-ripping of CD to FLAC and WP3 on inserting a disc)

2) Most likely: a stand-alone TEAC CD/DVD drive with secure abilities (which I gather allows for what you have ripped to be checked for you) at $140 on top of the $45 (so, $185 in total so far)

3) Buy any NAS which has sufficient storage for my needs. I happen to have a spare Tranquil T2e (fanless PC with hifi-style case) which I will probably ship back to Tranquil for upgrade to an Atom motherboard, perhaps 2 new HDDs to allow for auto-backup, 2GB RAM - and a Windows Home Server licence.

If you want the NAS in your hi-fi room, you must go for fanless. If not solid state storage, be sure ths HDD runs quietly. If the NAS can be in another room and sound is not a problem, clearly fan=based cooling is OK.

My understanding of minimum requirements is: RipNAS software (are there cometing products here, anyone?), Windows Home Server (I gather RipNAS runs only on that operating system.

Hope that helps,

| Music: NAS/Squeezebox Touch & Linn Axis/562V.2 -> DSP5200s
| Movies: G98DH -> 568.2MM -> DSP7000s, DSP5200HC, DSP5000C x2 rears, M2500, DVDO iScan VP50, LG 60"
| Humax FreeSat distributed to Cinema + two TVs