Our systems extend far beyond just CD ripping, as it has for quite some time. While our newer products no longer include a built-in optical drive for ripping, they still include the crucial parts when it comes to ripping your CDs in our existing Sense software and our CD ripping engine.
Now, it’s simply a case of the ripping hardware being totally optional. You can still enjoy the same functionality by connecting a USB optical drive of your choice. While some users preferred the built-in ripper, just as many, perhaps more more welcomed its removal as it was no longer essential, and, as many audiophiles will agree, unnecessary components are best left out. This also helps in the event that the optical drive fails, as instead of a return to service, you can simply connect another USB optical drive and start ripping sooner rather than later.
On a practical level, a key reason for removing optical drives is their increasing scarcity. As these components become harder to source, it’s difficult to ensure a reliable long term supply. For a new product range designed to last a decade or more, that simply isn’t sustainable.