I have ~80GB of music as mp3. I use iTunes, but only because I use the iPod. iTunes is adequate and free. Some lessons learned (the hard way): (1) keep your original media for two reasons - liner notes and backup; (2) see (1) for a clue to backup, backup, backup, unless you really like re-ripping your CD's and tapes. Hard drives fail, and it's never pretty. I learned this early on, fortunately didn't lose but 10GB, but it stinks to have to re-rip. I am OC about getting lyrics and artist info into the ID3 metadata, and that does not magically reappear when you re-rip a CD.

If you save photo's digitally, this needs backed up, too. One convenient way to do this is get an external USB drive that has built-in synchronizing software, and sync your entire My Documents folder. I'm PC oriented, but the concepts are the same for Mac's as well.

Happy ripping!