I use the MAC Book Pro computer as my music server. The MAC has 4 GB RAM and the 120GB solid state drive. I am using the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive (for the MAC) to store my music files (a 2nd one for backup). I have about 200 CD's loaded into my MAC Book Pro computer and more to go. It takes between 3 to 5+ minutes per CD using the AIFF format. The space for each CD is between 400k to 750k. For estimating purposes, I suggest an average size of 500k. My MAC Book Pro computer is connected to the Furman AC-215 power conditioner. The Furman is required so the MAC does not interfere with the audio components. See www.furmansound.com/product.ph.
Everyone I spoke to recommended the MAC computer and iTunes to manage the music. Ayre recommended I put my music on an external hard drive. It sounds better if it is on a different controller than the DAC, which means a FireWire hard drive. I used a portable external drive that 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.
Everyone I spoke to recommended the MAC computer and iTunes to manage the music. Ayre recommended I put my music on an external hard drive. It sounds better if it is on a different controller than the DAC, which means a FireWire hard drive. I used a portable external drive that 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.