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Storage Device Recommendations

I am looking for recommendations on an external hard drive for my CD collection.  I have over 3,000 CDs and want to rip and store them in one place. I have been ripping CDs to external Western Digital HDs connected by USB to my windows PC where I am using iTunes as the software for organizing and playing music. My problem is that two WD HDs have failed in the last 18 months. Both of them glitched and failed when trying to back them up. I suspect that the volume of CDs ripped to those drives is taxing them somehow. The last one that failed was 2 TBs in size (and I believe the first one was 2 TBs as well).  Also, over the last 5+ years I have been purchasing some music in digital download form (from iTunes or other sources such as Bandcamp).

For all its faults I plan to continue using iTunes as the software to play music.  My home AV system is wired to use Apple and Sonos boxes. While it appears that many of the streamers offer better audiophile quality, I also like ripping CDs to a storage device attached to my computer (as opposed to a typical streamer device that is attached to my audio system). Most streamers also require a direct ethernet connection which is very difficult (or costly) for me given my set-up.

Any suggestions on a better storage device or an audiophile quality streamer that connects to a PC?


Ag insider logo xs@2xjdooley

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
RAID with hot swap worked well for me I used Raid 01, 10, 5, and tried a few others. RAID 5 offers hot swap.. I prefer a hardware based RAID product. Keep the drives smaller.  SCSI drives offer the higher transfer rates. SATA, and a few others "RAID" but normally require software to prepare the drive for the array. Memory based HDs, I'm not sure on that one.. FAST yes, reliable? It would be a great front end on a drive system.. with physical plattered HD for backup..

Playback can be quite good with a good RAID system too, high transfer rates always help.

A glitchy piece of software, is just wonderful to recover from.. like sticking a needle under your fingernail.. I've had to do it a few times from software based RAID systems.. Think on that part..ay..

Regards
Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
OP I think you don’t want a failure, correct? AND if you do, just a drive swap and let it repopulate. The system will give an error or unhealthy FAT or what ever file tracking system you use. NTFS, FAT, Novell, ec. The fact is you keep on working BUT at a reduced capacity until a repair is done. I used the older Micropolis and Maxtor drives. Seagate had some very good drives also. You have to look at the cert for the network your using. These are fast drives, 10,000 rpm. They had auto park heads and actual drive shut down upon none use. That stuff was a dip switch or two, drive ID, and GREAT cables. PTFE and silver were the best back then..

Over 50.00 usd per foot 30 years ago..

I looked for a Novell standard.. WHY? It took days to do a low level on some drives, and then the onboard bios might just kick it out and say "TO MANY ERRORS" for novell service. WHY? That standard kept my last system going for over 10 years without drive failures. 80,000 hours last I looked a few years back 2010.. That system has a magazine tape back up, I think it holds 6 or 9. Tapes for actual Backup. Been a while, I use to be Novell and MSCE certed.. 5 drive, RAID 5 setup.. OLD!!!! It used a parity drive for correction..

BUT I stress hardware base RAID not software. LOL Just so you know.. This is really old school, but darn near unbreakable. 32 bit NT server.

Pretty cool multi boot sectors for nested NOS or OS systems.. really cool..Unix, lynex (red box), Berkley Unix, Novell, NT, OS2, la te da.. I was a weird kid...:-) My fingers are hurting just thinking about those years..

Don’t cheap out on the PS or a GOOD fan system. A great case goes a LONG ways. That is on a Topaz cleaner too..

Regards


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