Can I use some other CD ROM device instead of HiFi Rose’s RSA 780 CD-ROM? AT $399, the RSA 780 CD-ROM is rediculously over priced. I can easily buy an external CD ROM such as the Asus SDRW-08D2S-U for $29. Can use something like the Asus instead of the RSA 780?
Thanks
Hi sumi , I use the apple SuperDrive , as I already owned it I wasn’t risking it not working but it works fine no problem , the rsa 780 is apparently a decent cd player so not over priced depending on the way your intending to use it , I just use the drive for ripping cds so the apple is perfect , good luck , mark
So how to you supply power to the drive? Does it give power directly from the USB port itself?
Yes that’s the good thing about the SuperDrive it’s just 1 usb a connection , you can pick one up on eBay for £30 and it looks good too I’ll take a pic of mine for you
I payed only $20 for an external USB optical drive. Mass produced and flimsy. It works fine for ripping cd’s. Just plug it in the usb and it’s recognised. The thing is: it’s noisy. They all are because they spin so fast. That’s fine for ripping because it is done in 5 minutes. But for playing cd’s it is annoying. Also it doesn’t stay in its place. That’s why I taped mine to the side of my rack, out of sight.
That is why the RSA 780 is so expensive. It is the same thing but it has a different function. Playing a cd at single speed is super slow compared to 52x CD-ROM drives but it shouln’t make noise like it’s going to take off. That’s why it has a much thicker case and has some weight so it doesn’t shift or slide.
I think it’s a very good and smart option. A built in cd-drive would destroy the clean look. They often are the first thing to break (always problematical with all in ones) and the extra cost would be the same (only you wouldn’t know, just pay extra).
Thanks Collie and Jeep for the feedback.
I’m using an ASUS CD drive and i’m totally satisfied 
