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Best Hard Drive and Enclosure for Music Server

I'm going through the muck dealing with a faulty OWC miniStack. It's a great idea since it fits perfectly under a Mac Mini. But I had lots of problems with its connection to the computer dropping. I returned it for repair, they said the controller board failed its tests, replaced it and sent it back. Now the thing is giving me trouble again. The drive just disconnects.

Also just bought a Western Digital 1.5TB Green Caviar drive that's supposed to be really quiet. So far it's so-so. On idle it sometimes has a high pitch that goes away once it's accessing the disc.

Looking for a relatively rock solid solution that's not too noisy. Any suggestions or experiences to share?
cutterfilm
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

I suppose if you have the $$$ some Solid state HDs could be the quietest available.

I use a 1TB Iomega NAS. I also use a WD 'My Book' USB, and have a couple USB & SATA enclosures so I can exchange OS drives and back them up from one pc to another.

The computer audiophile dot com offers a few options for you. The post alluding to a wireless configuration which allows you to sequester your server/drive elsewhere is a good one.

I found if you use compliant nodes or pods beneath your ??? the noise from that drive or server will drop drastically. A bit more if you also have it connected to a good cond. AND the sound improves too.... but don't take my word for it, try it for yourself.

The Iomega X NAS has two USB ports so it can be added to. Under $300 as well. great reachable support too!

I've got a Seagate 1TB Barracuda and a few WD drives with no issues so far.

I am going to go with a hot swap-able server of sorts soon as I can though.

Good luck... try those Bright Star nodes or Vibra pods... they provide a more than noticeable lessening of the SPL them gizmos produce!
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I use a pair of Western Digital MyBook Studio Edition 1TB with my Mini (see my system). They are very quiet.
restock
831 posts
 
Macdadtexas.

I don't understand why the noise from a Drobo would bother anything? Mine are in another part of the house.

Another part of the house would be in the bedroom or the bathroom in my 1-bedroom place ;)

The Drobo is otherwise very nice, but if in the same room as the music system my friend's Drobo was loud enough for me to hear while listening to quiet music . It is a bit louder than a fanless hard drive enclosure. The Raid array is hard to beat though.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Restock, that makes a difference for sure. Apt looks very cool though!!

I had a Raid array, and I found it took a bit more mainenence that I was comfortable with doing myself. It was definitely more cost effective, I had mine in an old desktop enclosure, and networked.

I don't remember it making any noise, but it was in the office in our house too, so.

hgeifman
2,313 posts
 
I am using the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive for my MAC Book pro to store my music files. I have a 2nd Seaport for backup. I have had no problems with either hard drive. I load all my music on the external hard drive. It sounds better if it is on a different controller than the DAC, which means a FireWire hard drive. The Seagate is a portable external drive and has a 2.5" drive inside it. The advantage of this over a bigger external hard drive with a 3.5" drive is that it will be much quieter and it will run off the power provided by the bus. This means you will not need an extra wall plug for the hard drive.

Please see http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?name=ST905003FJA205-RK-fa-gopro-mac-500gb-hd&vgnextoid=13530c1001c11210VgnVCM1000001a48090aRCRD&locale=en-US
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