Recommend a good external DVD/CD player for a Mac

[les24preludes]

Have a Mac with a generic external DVD/CD player - Samsung.

 

Is there any way of improving on this? e.g. a good transport like the Philips CD Pro with some kind of interface so the Mac can communicate with it?

 

Or a really good external drive - if so what?

 

Goal would be to import CD collection into iTunes with best possible quality.

[Cycleman]

Here's the external drive I use for ripping CDs:

OWC Mercury Pro

 

Solid LG mechanism, old-fashioned drawer, multiple connection types.

 

Works super-well for me.

 

[orgel]

Here's the external drive I use for ripping CDs:

OWC Mercury Pro

 

Solid LG mechanism, old-fashioned drawer, multiple connection types.

 

Works super-well for me.

 

I have a similar one from OWC. A little more expensive but does Blu-ray. This is the current version:

 

OWC MR3F8BDSD16 Mercury Pro 16X Blu-ray Burner Plug... in stock at OWC

 

Good build quality, LG mechanism, no problems, no complaints.

 

--David

[jtwrace]

Goal would be to import CD collection into iTunes with best possible quality.

 

You can use the SuperDrive and XLD and be in better shape IMO.

[rruffin]

I use the OWC external drive and have been quite happy with it. My idea was to connect it via FireWire in order to keep the USB free for the USB-S/PDIF device.