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Music Server now bane of my existence

After years of waiting and rendering the landscape of servers as too complex, confusing and basically useless for my purposes, I've delved into the world of a Mojo Audio music server. The Biggest Dog they sell. Now, I've determined I'm technically in over my head and run out of invectives.

I need a "Music Server for Dummies" lexicon and flow chart. Yes, I will contact them this week also.

To my surprise, there is no drive with the new Mini Mac. So I need that. And how will I burn discs for friends? And do I just use the USB out from the server to my USB DAC for optimal playback? Which USB? Or should it be a USB conversion to coaxial? I researched and purchased a 3TB Western Digital hard drive for dedicated backup. Will that suffice for this?

I purchased the Apple wireless keyboard and outboard trac-pad to navigate.

I'm at a crossroads as to continue with predictable brain damage assembling all of the parts or return this and wait again for this industry to collectively simplify the process. I've gone with the MAC so I can easily interface with my iPod pieces. Thank you to all for insight into this gnarly subject.
celtic66

Showing 6 responses by kijanki

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
I use MacMini with external 1TB Firewire drive transmitting music over Wi-Fi across the room. Music is stored in ALAC and played by Itunes. Computer noise, computer speed, amount of memory, playback program etc don't make any difference in this setup. It required setting up initially but I use it for a long time without any problems. As for the cost - this MacMini is my main computer, so the only cost is Benchmark DAC1 and Airport Express - total about $1k, but since I use Benchmark as a preamp (that would cost >$1k anyway), I consider it free.

Traditional system is simpler, I agree, but computer playback offers more. Not only that I can change CD quickly but it is also much easier to find it. I can sort by artist, composer etc and also create playlists. In addition my computer plays files ripped without errors while CDP interpolates, especially on the less than perfect CDs. CDs or LPs can and will get scratches, but computer files will stay intact forever.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Jult52, Not big problem if it is done right. Raid is not the best way of doing it because in case of controller failure all files can be toast. I keep one backup at home and one at work. It isn't constant backing up as you suggested, because there is no sense to back it up if nothing was added. I back up only after about 20 CDs added to avoid major labor afterwards. Files in backup are perfectly safe since unpowered hard drives tend not to fail. I thing you missed the point. The point was that files will stay intact - always the same quality while CD or LP will start deteriorate getting more and more wear reducing playback quality. You talk about file maintenance? Last time I touched anything was about 6 month ago. On the other hand I can make case for loss of your CDs or LPs - Fire, Theft, Tornado etc. Would it be great to have backup anyway?
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Jult52, For me net result is flawless system, 15 min work every 6 months (or less often if I ripped <20 CDs) and no loss of quality over time. It didn't cost me time to rip CDs since I mostly ripped what I listened to (listening and ripping at the same time).

As for the risk - both backups are unused in storage and therefore safe and I cannot end up worse than you are, since I have original CDs. In case of disaster or theft you will loose all you CDs or LPs while I will still have my files. What is safer?

Yes, it might be complicated to set things up properly, but it is the case with setting of any computer. Quite painless and quick with Mac. It is one time job anyway.

Data backup itself is very easy - just connect HD and click on the icon. Backup once a year. If you're really lazy you can use Time Machine, on the Mac, that will do backup for you automatically in the background.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Timrhu, After backup is done program performs automatic verification. I also check before next backup. At each time I have main HD and two unpowered backups in storage. Whole operation is about 15 min of my time every 6 months.

Server based playback is not a rocket science but requires some computer skills. Perhaps people who don't feel confident should stay with traditional CDP. There is no right or wrong but confidence is very important.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Doggiehowser, Right now about 650GB in ALAC. I stated time I spend connecting, checking disk, starting program and disconnecting. I don't count time when computer is doing backup (few hours) while I'm watching TV. Sometimes I start backup when I go to sleep.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Al, absolutely right, it takes too long. On the other hand, why to even make on line backup when it is already done in NSA. Just ask them for the copy.
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