Quiet hard drive


From what I can tell, it's been quite some time since anyone's asked for external hard drive recommendations. My current drive seems perhaps a bit shaky (yes, it's backed up), and I'll soon be replacing it. I want what everyone wants: quiet, reliable, large enough. Any favorite brands -- or ones to avoid?
The drive is attached to a Mac Mini, with my CD collection (slightly less than 1,000 discs) stored in Apple Lossless. Thanks for your recommendations.
-- Howard
hodu

Showing 4 responses by albertporter

Hodu,

If your music is important to you sonically, beyond just the drive being quiet, solid state hard drives sound significantly better.

Right now they are still very expensive, probably several hundred dollars for 250 - 500 GB but prices are falling.
Cw, Actually I've been considering putting together a music server using Mac Mini, Solid State drive and maybe an Ayre DAC.

A friend I trust says this gets you within 15% of any digital system made and cost a fraction. The fun part is it's controlled from iPhone or iPad and you can also use it connected to your TV.

He told me of tests with various drives and said Solid State drive was significantly less digital sounding (less jitter?) and more transparent.

I was on with Apple last night trying to get them to configure me a Mac Mini with SS drive, server processor and extra RAM. I don't know yet how serious I am but the price sure beckons to me and I could sell my CD and Blue Ray machines and use the cash toward this project.
04-27-11: Jdoris
I'd be very surprised if you regretted the move, Albert. Now question that one can get good digital sonics, and the convenience is an absolute delight.

The music-dedicated Mach2Music is an option worth considering for a Mini http://www.mach2music.com/

The Pure Music iTunes augment software is great bang for buck.

John
Jdoris (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

I bought the Mach2Music machine and working on acquiring a DAC.
05-10-11: Jdoris
Keep us posted on your DAC shopping, Albert!
John,

I purchased the Ayre QB9 this morning and now deciding on the required USB and interconnect.

For USB my first thought was Audioquest Coffee but now I'm pretty sure it will be Locus Design Cynosure or Nucleus USB.