Thanks, Tony...I've enjoyed your posts on this forum. The noise level is fine. In fact, I still have the lid off just to make sure that it is going to work. I've ripped about 10 CDs and I'm convinced that all is well. Even with the lid off, the unit is quiet. It may be even quieter than the old drive. But I'll put the cover back on soon and I'm sure it will be even quieter still...

Thanks, Randy
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Happy owner of 2 Centrals, 2 Empegs Mk2a 160GB, 1 Empeg Mk2a 60 GB, a Rio Riot, 4 Rio Receivers, and two 1GB iPod Shuffles...