Thanks Matt.

Are you saying that Rio still makes and sells a dash mounted and moveable music server? If so... dangit. Anyway, I've use EAC for years so I'll probably just keep using it. As for what I can hear, I previously had an inexpensive home MP3 music server and I could clearly hear the difference between a relatively high bitrate MP3 and an EAC one. With 60Gb of space to fill, I guess I can pick whatever the RioCar will play best?
I am also thinking of building some sort of home system docking station which includes a tubed output stage...

BTW, thanks for your help and suggestions!