Digital Audio Server


I need help. I want to build a digital audio server to store about 600 cd on. I have a couple of requirements.
What is the best platform (Mac or PC), processor, memory and hard drive size

What sound card?

Is there a program that automatically has all the songs, I don't want to type the stuff in

I don't want to lose sound quality what is the best setup?

THX Frank
stereoholic

Showing 3 responses by distortion

AIFF and WAV are virtually identical. Both are PCM, bit rate encodable, and sampling rate flexible.

Uncompressed each minute of music (AIFF or WAV) takes approximately 10 megs.
I would run a PC platform. Mac no longer maintains a software advantage and certainly doesnt have a hardware advantage. As a matter of fact, Macs use converted PC technology in every hardware aspect except for CPU and motherboard. Upgrades, parts, and initial purchase will all be cheaper with the PC platform.

M-Audio makes very popular soundcards at attractive prices. My recommendation would be use an outboard DAC and feed it via the Digital out (spdif) from the computer. So the ultimate soundcard wont be an absolute. Of course if you dont plan on a DAC, then the better cards will provide better analog outs. I use a lowly Audigy 2/Theta DAC at the moment and cant really complain.

Memory is more of persoanl preference. Basic sound reproduction doesnt require a lot of system resources.

If this server is to be located in your listening area I would recommend a quiet approach. Maybe a low core voltage CPU that wil run cool and wont require CPU fans or case fans. Whirring fans you probably dont want. Check out the powersupply as well, they usually have built in fans.

As of right now I use an old program called "Siren" it was from a sound engineering software company called "Sonic foundry." They may still make it, it is OK. There are probably better music serving programs available now. It can call up the names from the internet so you dont have to type them all in. I think that is a paid service, though I am not sure.

I hope this helps...
I forgot to talk about hardrives. Sorry.

Bigger is better in this case. Music is just under 10 megs a minute in its native format. Just as stated above 600 CDs will require a lot of storage, probably multiple harddrives. I would recommend tried and true IDE ADA/66/100 Harddrives. Ther is no need for cutting edge technology, music data transfer wont require high data transfer rates. The best deals on HDs are in the 60-120 GB size right now. Although, they do make bigger ones, they come at a cost.