Looks very interesting: A few questions..

What MP3 codex does the built in MP3 encoding use? (Lame??? :-)
Does the Ripper function include and error-catching/correcting mode like EAC?
Can the Hard Drive be upgraded or a second one added by advanced users or returning to the factory?
Ethernet sounds like a purchased separatly adapter is required? or is it built-in?
Once on a local network, will it support streaming to anything other than Rio Receivers? i.e. PCs or Macs?

Just musing to see how it would do to replace my existing dedicated MP3 server (60gb Raid 1, Win 2K server, UPS)