Hello fellow CD collectors!
I was hoping to make a megathread for the community containing a bunch of useful CD information and links. If you have any links of info regarding CDs, where to buy them, how to listen to, burn, rip and look after them, or even just general tips that could be thrown in then please let me know :D
For ripping cds on macOS I whole-heartedly recommend Phile Audio. It checks databases online for the cd you insert, it rips to FLAC and will automatically name files after a pattern.
If you somehow get FLAC rips of entire cds and not just tracks get Flacon. It will chop up those flacs into individual tracks.
I fired up my windows machine and did some ripping. Exact Audio Copy still works a charm on Windows 10 at least.
It’s paid but dbPowerAmp is significantly better… I was using EAC for a long time but ultimately switched and never looked back.
Cool, i’ll try it out.
I request the thread include “Always rip to lossless and share your spoils on SLSK.”
Haha slsk has been a lifesaver ever since I discovered it
It has been the best way to share audio since 2001. Lots of other stuff on there, too.
If you don’t already use it, Nicotine+ is an amazing client.
I do not see CD trading/swapping mentioned as of yet.
ThriftyAv on Youtube has some good videos on the topic:
- Swap Your Compact Discs: The How-To & History of CD Trading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxtx5o8VL-E
- SwapaCD Media Mania! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szFl7YX1XNw
- Has SwapaCD Shattered? Media Mania! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaB2qK_2xJk
- Also Scott Gureck has this SwapaCD wrapper tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y3z4dC_dWM
The two trading web sites are:
Short story: You add titles to your have list and whether they are keepers or traders. You add titles to your want list. The web site matches up your copy to trade to an individual requesting (if they are), and vice versa. You get a CD in the mail soon after, hopefully intact and with the options you wanted (with all art, just the disc, etc). Sending out a title gives you a credit to get something in return.
Best keep your expectations in check. Do not expect to send out Cracked Rear View, Tubthumping, or some other bargain bin title since they already have tons of those already being offered. Also, patience is key. I have titles on my want list for years and likely will never get via these sites; then there have been limited edition promos or CD singles that are now part of my collection.
Keep an eye on postage costs, and packaging discs/labeling envelopes or packages so they arrive intact.
Full disclosure: I have been trading for years (since the lala days), am still active on both these sites, and have sent & received titles from ThriftyAv over the years.
