Newbie question...re NAS

What can you use to rip the CDs with? An iPad has no discdrive I believe.

I was hoping there was a NAS with a ripping included?

Maybe a Unitiserve?

That's exactly what I'd like....sadly I can't afford it presently....any alternatives? That do exactly the same thing? Tx anyway...

Yes that would work 

Storage with ripping usually works out more expensive, sure you can't get that PC back?

Other UnitiServe equivalents are made, some like Vortexbox, RipNas, Zoneripper, MCRU offer slightly differing aesthetic and tech. tradeoffs. What's your budget?

What will you be using as a UPnP server?  Or do you need one of those too?

A Vortexbox 1tb nas / ripper / server is $479.00 on Amazon.  That's perhaps the least expensive alternative??  At least we know, from other forum members, that they seem to work well.

Thanks guys looks like a vortexbox is the way forward.....tx....I'm guessing....ok I'm stupid, I rip my CDs on the vortexbox and plug it in to my Unitilite ?

Not quite, you plug the UnitiLite and the Vortexbox into your router.

Whichever way you decide to go, don't forget to think about backing up whatever you rip on a separate drive!

And the suggestion would be to rip a few disks only to start with, and then check that all the tagging is how you want it presented in nStream, before steaming in to rip your whole collection.

Indeed. The confusion for many newbies is that there are quite a few ways to physically set this streaming lark up, and quite a few ways to back it up. I can detail my method and cost but that does not mean it's any 'better' that anyone else's setup. When I began streaming I actually used the setup FAQ on the Cyrus site as the principles were explained in lay terms and there were pictures too!! 

Thank you...the Unitilite is already connected to my router for internet radio....got one spare port, so looking good...tx..

When you compare the number of posts about how to make NAS/Rippers (like Vortexbox, for instance) work to the number of posts about how to make Unitiserv's work, it becomes clear which way you should jump.

Understandably, a brand new U/serve may be beyond your budget, but what about a previously loved,  a cherished, or a carefully nurtured one (what I used to call a 'second hand' one) ?   If that's even remotely possible, you should go down that route (IMHO)...  think of all the time you WON'T be spending on this forum trying to figure out to make it work;  time you'll be able to spend listening to your music  (or working overtime to pay off the additional cost).

Seriously - U/serv = carefree, trouble free life from now on .  

You can always buy a little 5-port switch, plug that into your router and have room for more!

Hopefully Vortexbox supports backing it up to an external usb drive; that'd be easiest and cheapest.