NAS or USB

[JeffH]

So what is considered to be the best way to serve files up to a dedicated music server to achieve the highest quality sound. I have been looking at both lately and I saw the new Bryston BDP-1 music server that only uses USB. I know many people use a NAS, but I have seen other who believe using an external USB drive is the way to go to get the most out of the computer as a source. Thanks and I appreciate any thoughts or experience you would like to share.

 

[daviesjohn]

I have a Mac Mini (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB 120GB Serial ATA Drive, from 2009). It is connected via USB to an Icybox dual drive enclosure with 2x1 TB drives. One disk is partitioned in two equal parts, one configured to run as a Time Machine backup for the Mini, the other for general storage.

The other has my c.400 GB iTunes library (mostly ripped from CD in Apple Lossless).

This mostly works well, connected via a digital audio out to a Musical Fidelity DAC / pre-amp and thence a power amp. I use an iPhone and the Apple Remote app to control it.

However, I occasionally get a glitch whereby the music stops for a couple of seconds. I can't work out why this should be - there's usually nothing running on the Mac except iTunes (and I suppose Time Machine).

The Mac also has some MobileMe sync running, and is accessible via Screen Sharing.

I hope this is usful experience and would appreciate any suggestions for improvement - I have been considering replacing the Icybox enclosure with a Drobo S.

John

 

[daviesjohn]

sorry - double post