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Topic: Mac Pro-compatible CD drive? (Read 4252 times) previous topic - next topic
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Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Hi,

New user to the forums, though not to audiophile ripping.  Long story short:  can anyone recommend an optical drive for CD ripping that will work with the tray slots on the 2010 Mac Pros?  If I'm going by the list on DAE, then there should be 168 known drives offering the best options (Accurate Stream, non-caching etc.), but because of the way the Mac Pro tray slots work, I have to make sure that the tray will pass through when the drive is opened.

You may think this is a non-issue, but I own a Sony U1615S which would meet my needs and its tray is too thick to  pass through, and can't be modded to fit either, before anyone asks  )

Prefer if someone can offer direct experience instead of conjecture.  I'm sure you'd feel the same way if it was your dosh on the line

Many thanks!

S.

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: sirgadabout on
"...can anyone recommend an optical drive for CD ripping that will work with the tray slots on the 2010 Mac Pros?  If I'm going by the list on DAE, then there should be 168 known drives offering the best options (Accurate Stream, non-caching etc.), but because of the way the Mac Pro tray slots work, I have to make sure that the tray will pass through when the drive is opened..."


If you don't mind losing mobility during the ripping process, why not considering an external USB drive? BTW, IDE drives and enclosures are super cheap these days and you can still get top notch results.
"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life" (Art Blakey)

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #2 –
PDF from Apple

Instructional video

a few drives/plug and play

Also be a good idea to dig around on Mac-Forums or other such sites. Sorry I can't help you from personal experience. Hopefully someone here has done it and will see your post.




The Loudness War is over. Now it's a hopeless occupation.

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: LIF on
Quote from: sirgadabout on
"...can anyone recommend an optical drive for CD ripping that will work with the tray slots on the 2010 Mac Pros?  If I'm going by the list on DAE, then there should be 168 known drives offering the best options (Accurate Stream, non-caching etc.), but because of the way the Mac Pro tray slots work, I have to make sure that the tray will pass through when the drive is opened..."


If you don't mind losing mobility during the ripping process, why not considering an external USB drive? BTW, IDE drives and enclosures are super cheap these days and you can still get top notch results.

Thanks, LIF, that's actually a useful proposition.  If it has two drawbacks, it's that I currently have (counts) 8 devices requiring a power outlet at my smallish desk, and if I'm being honest I'd rather not add another to the mix; and my working area is already pretty cluttered, so a 5.25'' caddy would be a clumsy addition.  However, I'll keep it on the back burner for when my current aim proves tiresome or fruitless.

@ Engelsstaub: Um, pardon my confusion, but why did you link a PDF for installing an HDD, and a video for how to install an optical drive?  As for the link to the optical drives on OWC: you linked the wrong page - I own a Mac Pro 2010 (as stated in my OP), not a PowerMac.  There is a page for 2010 Mac Pros on OWC, which I've already seen, and of the two drives offered one is not listed on DAE, and the other is an unspecified model.  Not exactly useful.

Regards,

SiR G.

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #4 –
Sorry for the sloppy link-posting and the wrong PDF.

I just thought I'd Google for you in my boredom. The truth is I don't believe you're going to find a lot of people here that are going to be knowledgeable about Macintosh problems. Especially Mac Pro problems. I figured you'd get little to no response...I was at least right about that. Sorry for half-heartedly trying.
The Loudness War is over. Now it's a hopeless occupation.

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #5 –
Sir G,

I'm surprised that no one else has chimed in, but it really isn't *that* hard to find someone with a little Macintosh experience to help you out.

I am, however, a little bit confused as to what your dilemma is - the optical drive bays are fairly standard on a Mac Pro. You are referring to the
two bays in the front, correct?

Okay...since you have a 2010 Mac Pro, you need to make sure you get an optical drive with a SATA interface. You said that your Sony DVD-Rom would meet your needs - no way, buddy - that drive has an IDE/Pata interface.

A good place to start is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....1&name=SATA.

Those are all SATA drives that are currently available, and I highly recommend newegg (great prices, great service, etc).

Now...as to which drive in particular. Since your primary focus is ripping, I would suggest a 24x Lite-On drive with a Mediatek chipset. This is where it gets a tiny bit tricky: many Lite-Ons utilize a NEC chipset, and its not readily apparent which do or don't. For example, the iHAS124 have been known to have either chipset at one point or another.

These are the ones that I am certain about: iHAS-324-98B (The "B" is what gives it away as a newer mediatek-based drive) & the iHAS524-T98A (the "A" indicates that it has the slightly older - but by no means worse - mediatek chipset).

An interesting option is the Asus DRW-24B1ST - this is actually a rebadged mediatek Lite-On. It is currently available for $16.99 and free shipping. That is freakin' insane! Yes, I own one, and yes it is a fine ripper with the features you're probably after (ie, non-caching, C2 error pointers, etc). Also, as a point of interest to anyone else who may be reading this, it can be crossflashed to either a Lite-On IHAS-324A or a Plextor PX-880SA.

So there you have it. If I misunderstood your question, I apologize. I realize I'm responding to a month-old post, but I figure this sort of info may be useful to someone out there. Keep in mind that I own 20 or so optical drives so I'm not speaking out of my rear.

If you have any other mac or optical drive related questions, feel free to ask away.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anthony

Quote from: sirgadabout on
Hi,

New user to the forums, though not to audiophile ripping.  Long story short:  can anyone recommend an optical drive for CD ripping that will work with the tray slots on the 2010 Mac Pros?  If I'm going by the list on DAE, then there should be 168 known drives offering the best options (Accurate Stream, non-caching etc.), but because of the way the Mac Pro tray slots work, I have to make sure that the tray will pass through when the drive is opened.

You may think this is a non-issue, but I own a Sony U1615S which would meet my needs and its tray is too thick to  pass through, and can't be modded to fit either, before anyone asks  )

Prefer if someone can offer direct experience instead of conjecture.  I'm sure you'd feel the same way if it was your dosh on the line

Many thanks!

S.

Mac Pro-compatible CD drive?

Reply #6 –
Hi AnthonyP,

Thanks for replying!
Quote
I am, however, a little bit confused as to what your dilemma is - the optical drive bays are fairly standard on a Mac Pro. You are referring to the two bays in the front, correct?

Not exactly, I'm talking about the slim slots in the front of the Mac Pro's case that allow the optical drives' trays to pass through when ejected.  I'm not referring to the optical drive mounting bays.
Quote
Okay...since you have a 2010 Mac Pro, you need to make sure you get an optical drive with a SATA interface. You said that your Sony DVD-Rom would meet your needs - no way, buddy - that drive has an IDE/Pata interface.

Um, sorry, but no  This drive most definitely has a SATA interface.  Perhaps it was a borderline model that was released in both PATA and SATA editions.
After that inauspicious start (just teasing!  ) I discovered that I'd left some important information from my profile: I'm actually based in the UK, so any purchasing recommendations have to be for shops based there.  Trust me, I would love to have access to such places as NewEgg and TigerDirect (not to mention OWC!)  But the Customs fees and shipping costs make that an unlikely prospect
Now, unfortunately, due to mis-understanding my initial problem, the rest of your advice doesn't apply to me  Though I must admit your tidbit on cross-flashing the Asus was very interesting
However, you do mention that you own 20 or so optical drives.  I don't suppose that you'd be up for measuring the tray height of any of those offering the capabilities I'd be looking for for ripping purposes, and posting the results?  It would have to be the height of the trays MINUS the Tray Bezel.  This YouTube video from OWC shows precisely what I mean.  I'm looking for a tray no more than 12mm thick at any point.

Again, thanks for responding.

S.